Around the world on Waiheke Island
France
Châteaux, Vineyard Lunches and the Art of Living Well
France is a country of elegant gardens, celebrated wines and meals designed to be savoured. From the lavender fields of Provence and the Syrahs of the Northern Rhône to the bistros of Paris and the great wine estates of Bordeaux, every region has its own story to tell.
On Waiheke Island, you'll discover a little piece of France in every glass, every vineyard and every leisurely lunch.
Burgundy Meets Waiheke at Stonyridge
Stonyridge Vineyard brings the comfort and generosity of French country cooking to Waiheke this winter.
Their seasonal special features a rich and deeply comforting Boeuf Bourguignon, slow-cooked in the traditional Burgundian style and served for $35, or paired with a glass of Airfield wine for $50.
Wine lovers can also elevate their tasting experience with a curated French cheese pairing, specially selected to sit beautifully alongside Stonyridge's wines and available as a limited-time $15 upgrade.
The Classics at Te Motu
On Thursday 26 June, Te Motu invites guests to step into a classic French dining room for an evening celebrating timeless dishes and mature wines.
Chef Kohel will prepare a menu inspired by some of the great classics of European cooking, including Pierre Koffmann's iconic pig trotter, alongside Te Motu's Chicken Liver Parfait with Vincotto Gelée, a dish that would not feel out of place in a traditional French bistro.
Meanwhile, Paul will raid the cellar and pull the corks on a selection of older Te Motu vintages, creating an evening designed to be savoured slowly.
The evening features a three-course set menu for $90 per person and promises the kind of memorable meal that has long defined French hospitality.
Limited spaces available.
Provence and the Northern Rhône at Mudbrick
Mudbrick Vineyard's French connection runs deeper than its menu. The estate was inspired by a French antique chandelier discovered years ago, around which the gardens and property were created. Rather than the symmetry of an Italian Renaissance garden, Mudbrick embraces the romance of the French countryside, with lavender-lined pathways, olive trees and intimate spaces to linger.
Their wines are crafted predominantly from classic French varietals, inviting guests on a journey through south-east France. Sip rosé amongst Provencal-style lavender gardens before venturing to the hilltop trig for panoramic island views and tasting elegant Syrahs inspired by the famed vineyards of the Northern Rhône.
Contemporary French Dining at Tantalus Estate
Tucked into the Onetangi Valley, Tantalus Estate offers a contemporary take on French-inspired dining in one of Waiheke's most beautiful vineyard settings.
Surrounded by vines, olive groves, wetlands and gardens, the estate combines award-winning wines, craft beer and elegant cuisine beneath soaring ceilings and sun-filled courtyards.
At the helm of the kitchen is Head Chef Axel Curtet-Latreille, who was born on France's Atlantic coast, raised in the French Alps and honed his craft in Lyon's renowned brasseries, bistros and fine dining restaurants before making Waiheke home.
His menus celebrate the seasons and exceptional New Zealand produce, interpreted through a distinctly French lens. Guests can choose from the Estate's à la carte menu or place their trust in the chef with a multi-course degustation, perfectly paired with Tantalus wines grown among the surrounding vines.
Whether lingering over lunch overlooking the wetlands, sharing a bottle of Syrah in the courtyard, or settling in for a Saturday evening degustation, Tantalus captures the elegance and generosity of modern French hospitality.
