Holiday Itinerary Ideas: Pairing Your Helicopter Tour with Auckland’s Best Dining & Wineries

The holidays are getting closer, and what better time is there to think about the finer things in life? Did you know that many of Auckland’s best dining spots are located just across the harbour on beautiful Waiheke Island? Nestled amongst the rolling hills and stunning bays are world-leading wineries, and internationally renowned dining with stunning vintages ready to grace your table along with your holiday meal.

You can go there as most others do, on the ferry, taking a bus from the terminal. But that kind of journey can undercut the special, luxurious nature of spending the day away, and you deserve something special. 

Getting a helicopter to Waiheke Island to spend the day sampling some of the world’s best wine will help you celebrate the holidays in style.

Read on for some of our favourite winery locations to enjoy on a helicopter from Auckland to Waiheke, so you can plan your perfect holiday itinerary.

Stonyridge Restaurant & Vineyard

Stonyridge is the kind of place wine lovers daydream about. Lush vines, rolling hills, and a restaurant that regularly tops the charts for its Mediterranean-inspired menu. It’s famous for its Bordeaux-style reds, which pair beautifully with long, sun-soaked afternoons on their terrace.

By helicopter, the whole experience feels even more magical. Touch down just steps from the vineyard, wander straight into the tasting room for a glass of Larose, and ease into your day feeling like you’ve just landed in the south of France.

Poderi Crisci

If you want elegance with a little rustic charm, Poderi Crisci is your spot. This vineyard feels like an Italian summer in Tuscany somehow tucked away in a Waiheke Island valley. Long-table lunches, fresh local produce, and deep, savoury reds set the tone (especially if you’re after something romantic).

A helicopter arrival only heightens that sense of escape. You skip the travel logistics entirely and begin your meal already in holiday mode. Poderi Crisci is especially popular for anniversary lunches and family celebrations, so it’s the perfect pairing for a festive season treat with your family if that’s what you’re after.

Tantalus Estate

Tantalus is well-known as a space that is kept carefully modern, polished, and refined. Their restaurant sits among meticulously kept vines, and the menu feels as curated as their incredible wine list. Despite all of that precision, this is a warm and inviting venue that serves as the perfect backdrop for a holiday meal and wine tasting.

Arriving by helicopter from Auckland to Waiheke sets the tone for something special. You land right beside the estate and step right up to your table, ready for a tasting flight or a leisurely lunch overlooking the vines.

The thing to know about the Estate is that its award-winning menu and wine will not leave you even when you take off. This place lives up to its name, tantalising you to return again and again to the heart of the Onetangi Valley.

Man O’ War Restaurant & Vineyard

Finally, we must tip our hats to a coastal gem on the far eastern side of Waiheke, Man O’ War. This place offers something a little more rugged and adventurous when compared to the other wineries.

On touchdown, you get spacious outdoor tables, sea breezes, and crisp white wines define the experience. It’s relaxed but still polished, so we love it for those who prefer a more laid-back day out.

Not to mention, getting there by helicopter is a treat. You glide over bays and headlands before landing right at the water’s edge for a day, sipping wine and looking at the water. It feels like a true holiday escape, even if you’re only going away for the day.

There you have it! A loving list packed full of holiday itinerary ideas for winery-focused helicopter tours. For each of the winery locations on this list, we offer return scenic flights by helicopter from Auckland to Waiheke (and back), so you can relax in style without the crush of the ferry queues or inconvenient timetables.

Arrange an overnight stay at one of the vineyards above for an extra special evening with your loved ones, or make it a one-off day trip with a lovely buzz to cap off the evening.

Regardless of the details of the itinerary you decide to put together, the result is the same: a stunning private flight by helicopter to Waiheke, soaring over the inner gulf islands and much of Waiheke itself, before a final touchdown at the winery of your choice.

All that’s left now is to book your holiday excursion, and we can help with that.

Book your flight by helicopter from Auckland to Waiheke.

At HeliMe, we offer stunning Waiheke Island helicopter tours with optional dining packages to suit your ideal holiday itinerary.

Browse your options for a Waiheke winery touchdown.