Poderi Crisci

15/20

205 Awaawaroa Rd, Awaawaroa Bay, Waiheke Island New Zealand

Open 11th May - Sept 12pm to 5pm Thurs-Monday, Rest of year 7 days
Cards MC,V, AE

Our tasting table

The Verdict

To "Cellarbrate": Beautiful Italian style garden setting, friendly and knowledgeable staff, good variety of wines

To "Wine about": Currently feels a little more geared towards the restaurant than the cellar door, however development of a more dedicated cellar door experience is underway

How many bottles did we buy: 2

Suitable for: Couples, Small Groups and Families

Visited May 2016 (weekday) & September 2016 (weekday)

Getting There

Country

State/Province

Region

Accessibility

New Zealand

North Island

Waiheke Island

Approximately 2km of fairly good quality gravel road leading to carpark. There is also a helicopter landing pad that is available for use

Upon Arrival

Parking

Setting

Commercial/Boutique

Ambiance

Airconditioning/Fireplace

There are a good number of gravel carparks, however this vineyard also has a popular restaurant so parking availability around lunch time may be challenging

This cellar door is set amongst a very formal Italian garden with beautifully manicured lawns, bocci courts and hedges surrounding an amazing kitchen garden that the chefs utilise for their dishes

Boutique

There isn't a tasting room as such, so the tasting is conducted at one of the outdoor tables, which overlook the lawns and the gardens. A tasting sheet setting out all of the Poderi wines is provided and a selection of these are then offered for tasting

Yes/Yes

Tasting Experience

Number of wines on tasting

Particular wines or varietals known for

Wait time

Knowledge of wines

Staff attitude

Winery Tour Offered

Tasting seating available at counter

Tasting sheet/order form provided for notes

Chardonnay

No wait

Great knowledge of the wines, the vineyards and an obvious passion for the wines

Very professional and friendly, showed us around the restaurant and winery facilities

There is no counter as such with the tasting conducted at one of the outdoor tables

Yes, a large sheet is provided with all the Poderi wines printed on it, and you are given a selection of 4 to taste

Food Offering

Yes/No

Restaurant/Café/Tasting platter

Yes

Very well regarded italian restaurant. We did not have an opportunity to eat here, but after the visit we have put it on our "must return to" list!

Update: We dined here on our second visit and it was fantastic. Authentic Italian cuisine and plenty of it!

Hip Pocket

Price range of wines

Tasting Fee

Refundable on purchase?

Tour Fee

Delivery cost per dozen

Club Membership with Discounts etc

$33.50-$55

$10

Yes

N/A

$25 - $35

Other features, facilities and offerings

Gift Shop

Toys/play area for kids

Dog friendly

By the way...

Yes, bocci courts and plenty of lawns to run around

Yes, outside on the lawns

Mobile phone/internet reception can be a little patchy on this part of the island so make sure you grab a wine map from the ferry on the way over and map out where you are heading in advance!

This winery currently seems to be more focused on it's restaurant experience but after discussions with the manager, there are big plans for a dedicated tasting room, with a walkway to overlook the winery. We think these plans will really add to the overall experience and we understand that this will be completed during 2016 (they appeared quite well progressed when we visited in late September)

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