Te Whau (1)

218 Te Whau Dr, Waiheke. Ph 372-7191, tewhau.co.nz.
Winter: Lunch Friday-Sunday, dinner Saturday. Summer: Lunch 7 days, dinner Thursday-Saturday. $$$

On a sunny afternoon, on that balcony, with a near-full-circle view of bays and hillsides and ocean and far city and big wide sky, it’s incredible. Te Whau, the small boutique winery on a Waiheke headland, is helmed by a pair of the most passionate owner-operators around: Tony and Moira Forsyth. And it’s he, a most gracious host, who oversees the dining room. Te Whau is celebrated not just for its beautiful high-end wine (they’ve got one of the best international cellars in the country, and the Te Whau wines themselves are quite splendid). And it’s not just the glorious view, either. The place has a very well-executed menu, with a European influence and a fresh focus on seafood — and that’s thanks to seafood expert chef Marco Edwardes. Follow your meal with a chat and wine tasting with Tony and Moira and you may never want to leave.

3 Spoons

A favourite dish: The seasonal desserts — white chocolate mousse with lemon curd and raspberries. Sounds simple but blew us away.

Good for vegetarians / Good seating outside / Takes large groups / Bar / Good for kids