Tantalus Estate is a premier winery located in the Onetangi Valley on Waiheke Island, an internationally recognized wine growing region just 18km east of Auckland. Founded in 2013, the estate spans 8.3 hectares of established vineyards at an elevation of 12 to 61 meters above sea level. Waiheke Island’s climate, protected from cold and wet winds by ridgelines to the west and southwest, is drier and hotter than the mainland and well-suited to growing premium grapes.
Tantalus Estate has undergone extensive replanting and re-grafting, with a focus on site-specific clonal selection for the best results. The vines grow in sandy soil with deposits of iron and manganese oxide, and the estate has worked to improve the wetland and forested areas by planting native species and removing exotic plants and weeds. As a result, the estate has become a haven for a variety of birds and insects.
In addition to the vineyards, Tantalus Estate offers a range of dining options for visitors. The main restaurant features natural materials and plenty of light, and the private dining room has a quaint, olde world feel with hand-painted tile walls and chandeliers crafted from old vines. From the mezzanine balcony, guests can also catch a glimpse of the craft brewery on the floor below. The estate’s menu emphasizes seasonality and the provenance of ingredients, with refined dishes featuring bold flavors. The combination of food, wine, and sweeping views of the vineyard and valley make for an enchanting and memorable dining experience.
Private tours and tastings are also available at Tantalus Estate. The private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests for seated events or 30 for cocktail functions, and the downstairs brewer’s lounge can seat 40 guests or host up to 60 for a cocktail function. To arrange a tour or discuss function requirements, guests can contact the estate’s Events Manager, Trish Ingram.
Tantalus Estate’s owners, Carrie and Campbell, have taken a holistic approach to their enterprise, striving for biodiversity and a positive impact on the ecosystem as a whole. This includes careful resource management, such as water recycling and minimization, and the promotion of beneficial species. The vineyards have been carefully managed to produce wine of the highest quality, and the estate’s limited release wines have received notable acclaim from critics and guests alike. The award-winning Cheshire Architects designed the winery’s buildings, which blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
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Kristina Kokonis
a month agoThe wine and the food at Tantalus was delicious, but what really made it special was the service. I visited the vineyard with my parents, and all of us felt that the hospitality we enjoyed here was some of the best we’ve ever experienced. We had Wendy as our server, and she was absolutely lovely! She consistently went above and beyond for us. If I ever visit New Zealand again, I would love to go back to Tantalus ☺️
Anita Fraser
a month agoWe visited Tantalus for a beer tasting and some desserts. The desserts were decadent! Loved the thyme sorbet that was served. We enjoyed the beer tastings but were surprised when we were provided with the bill. Apparently a tasting paddle only consists of 4 beers to taste. Since all six were provided to us we were charged extra for the last two. Our waitress unfortunately didn’t explain this to us, nor ask us which 4 beers we wanted select for a tasting. When we queried this at the counter though the gentleman taking our payment was understanding of the situation and didn’t charge us for the two tastings.
Annie Tan
4 months agoWonderful dining experience. The food is cooked to perfection. We chose the a la carte menu instead of the “chef’s specials” for more flexibility. The snapper is so tender and fresh. The service is exceptional. The matching wines are served right on time for each course. The surrounding scenery is as idyllic as it can be, like a scene in a movie. There are many nice restaurants on the island. This is one of the best if not the best.
Jon Bower
3 months agoIf you have only time to visit one place make sure it's the gorgeous Tantalus Estate. Be sure to make a reservation for lunch, but also, save time to do a tasting at their cellar door, maybe try a few craft beers, walk around their sprawling estate - including a path down through their wetlands. You could spend hours here. When you're all done, take the shortcut through the vineyard gates and check out Stonyridge next door for an altogether different vibe. Really enjoyed their starters, particularly their estate grown roasted honey macadamia nuts - they're so good I wish I could stock up on these to go! You can tell Tantalus takes good care of their staff by just how happy they are and how excellent their service is. Sam served us as we dined and honestly we had no better service anywhere else in NZ!
Bronwyn Wyatt
a month agoOne of the best experiences ever! At short notice after being let down by another vineyard, Tantalus welcomed us for a leisurely 3 hour lunch. a The staff, service and food couldn't have been more amazing. The food was like art and tasted even better. Our group of 6 were totally impressed. We visited one of the more popular vineyards for lunch the next day and it wasn't a patch on Tantalus. Can't wait to visit again! 😀😍