Meet the Locals - Sharon Killen of Waiheke Wine Tours

Ever wondered who's behind the wheel of those fun-filled Waiheke Island Wine Tours? Today, we chat with Sharon Killen, owner of Waiheke Wine Tours, about their love for the island, their passion for great wine, and the secret to creating unforgettable wine tour experiences. Buckle up and get ready to discover the magic of Waiheke Island through the eyes of a local!

I first discovered Waiheke Island back in 2013 when I started visiting my partner's family here as I am from Wellington originally and had never been to the Island.

Well, I totally fell in love with the island and its beauty and met some cool people. At the time, I owned a transportation business in NZ aka Auckland, but I decided to sell my buses and invest in this wonderful place. It's been a great decision and I'm so happy to be a part of the Waiheke community!

I have been driving buses since I was 19 on the Wellington City council trolley buses. In my early 20s, I obtained my class 5 truck and trailer license and drove trucks for a while before transitioning into sales and marketing. However, my love for big rigs, vintage transport, buses, and classic cars still remains strong, we have just got our 67 Camaro on the road and I am looking forward to going to Beach Hop.

I love walking the beach with my Border Collie Bonnie, I walk, and she goes about 30km an hour! The beaches are beautiful I go really early in the morning its totally the best time of the day.

Oh, I just love eating out on Waiheke! There are so many amazing places to choose from like Three Seven Two, Ki Maha, Oyster Inn, Cable Bay Vineyards, Batch Winery, Heke, - they're all so good!

And let me tell you, you're in for a real treat because the food here is absolutely divine. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bad meal on this island, but we know the coolest places to go.

I have to say Viogner at Cable Bay, Chardonnays at Batch, Airfield Luna Negra at Stonyridge, Bubbles at Mudbrick, oh and Stormwood wines again so many good wines! Every vineyard has something special to offer that is the great thing about Waiheke, and the best thing about doing a wine tour you get to try so many different blends of wines you will be surprised of what your new go to wine could be after a wine tour experience.

Camden Town. I love the eclectic street markets, and the independent music in the pubs. There is an amazing diversity in food from street vendors to up market restaurants. It has this perfect combination of creative energy and bohemian charm.

I would LOVE to go on a cruise to Antartica. I am obsessed with Orcas and would love to see them up close in amongst the icebergs and glaciers along with penguins and seals. I think it would be a once in a lifetime experience.

Its a beautiful Island with a young wine-making history, the maritime climate and soil makes the wines unique, and because of this the vineyards have been able to be innovative and experiment with new grape varietals and techniques, resulting in exciting and unexpected blends. Waiheke's free-draining, mineral-rich soils stress the vines, forcing them to dig deep for nutrients. This struggle results in grapes with concentrated flavours that translate into exceptional wines.

Before starting a private tour, we inquire about our guests and their preferences. Based on their responses, we customize the vineyards they will visit. We consider their wine preferences, whether they prefer red or white, gin or craft beers. We also offer activities with Destination Waiheke and EcoZip, depending on their interests. We provide lunch options, including VIP, rustic, and easy platters, as well as wine and food pairings. Additionally, we can take them to Oneroa Village for shopping.

On the tours I drive and host the larger bus tours consisting of people from various parts of the world. A specialty of mine is to bring them together to interact with each other and have a great time. After providing commentary throughout the day and visiting the final vineyard, I usually play a few old skool bangers, and It's a great way for everyone to let off steam and sing along. People absolutely love it, and they make long and lasting friendships with other guests on the tour.

Waiheke Wine Tours offer a huge range of local delights such as a brewery tour and beer tasting experience or a trip to the eastern end of Waiheke to our local gin distillery where you can witness the magic of small-batch gin production and cocktails.

We can incorporate corporate fun activities like bowling or archery into your tour, or delve into Waiheke's history at Stonybatter WWII tunnels. We also offer Maori cultural tours, providing a chance to learn about the island's indigenous traditions and customs.

There is just so much to do and see on Waiheke Island so of course I would strongly recommend you book a guided tour of the Island where you'll enjoy the stunning scenery and visit the best vineyards, all while being looked after by an experienced tour guide.

It's amazing to see visitors come to Waiheke with specific preferences, such as not liking white wine, but leaving with a newfound appreciation for a different type of wine. After all, isn't that what a wine tour is all about? Having the opportunity to try something new and unexpected and falling in love with it.