Marks Travel Notes

• Mudbrick Vineyard ( Church Bay Road, Oneroa, Waiheke ) - Mudbrick is one of the most beautifully set vineyards on Waiheke Island and, quite possibly, in New Zealand itself. And the wines live up to the setting. The Reserve Syrah impressed on repeated visits to Mudbrick Vineyard - as it should at $52 a bottle. Also worthy of note is the Reserve Viognier. Views include

• Kennedy Point Vineyard ( 44 Donald Bruce Road, Waiheke Island, New Zealand ) - One of Waiheke Islands better known wineries, Kennedy Point Vineyard produces a fine Sauvignon Blanc (usually more associated with the Marlborough region of New Zealand) and an excellent Syrah. With four vineyards around Waiheke Island, all of Kennedy Point Vineyard are produced organically - a fact which is somewhat undersold by the propietors.

• Stonyridge Vineyard ( 80 Onetangi Road, Onetangi, Waiheke ) - One of New Zealand's most prestigous vineyards. Perhaps most well known for its flagship Larose wine (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot), Stonyridge Vineyard also produces a fine Malbec.

• Jurassic Ridge ( 144 Chruch Bay Road, RD1 Oneroa, Waiheke Island, New Zealand ) - Jurassic Ridge is one of New Zealands lesser known vineyards and their wines are not commonly available. Winemaker Lance, an irrepressible sort, makes a fine range of wines including a Rose Syrah (very fine) and a Sav Blanc (from a block in Marlborough) and a very fine straight Syrah - on my last visit I picked up a very fine bottle of the 2008 Syrah, a fine purchase indeed.

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