The bus from the ferry drops you right at the gate, and before you've ordered a thing you're looking at vines, a playground and an archery range laid out across the lawn. Wild Estate sits on Onetangi Road on Waiheke Island, a working vineyard and brewery that also runs a proper restaurant, so you can taste, eat and play in the same afternoon. It's open every day from 10.30am until 5pm, and until 6pm on Saturdays.
The food has a bit of a wild side: wallaby spring rolls, flash fried squid, slow roasts and big share platters, plus brick oven pizzas and a cheese board for the table. You can work through the wines and the estate's own beers, order a cocktail or an espresso martini, or grab a ginger beer that's become something of a signature here. There's a cellar door downstairs for tastings, an open fire inside when it's cold, and plenty of lawn to spread out on.
Book ahead, especially on a Saturday or Sunday between 12 and 2, because you can't rely on just walking in; you can reserve a table online up to three weeks ahead, or get in touch for groups over ten, functions, weddings and the end-of-year parties this place does really well. If your table isn't ready, you wait with a drink in the bar or cellar door, or on a picnic blanket outside.