When you have friends visit Auckland from overseas it is, at times, difficult to find something to do with them that is both interesting for them and for oneself. For example, I don’t ever need to go up the Sky Tower again. Or hang out on Queen Street. And although the Wynyard Quarter is cool to walk around, the new cafes and restaurants there are somewhat lacking.


I’ve found THE best thing to do with your touristy companions that will make everybody smile (as long as you all drink), and that is to go out Kumeu way for a spot of delicious (and usually free) New Zealand wine tasting.
I had assumed this was common knowledge for my compatriots, but this fair Sunday afternoon I was astonished to find that of the four locals involved in the outing, only I had ever done such a thing (and I’ve done it so many times I’ve lost count). 
Of course, our two very hot South American friends had not been out that way yet either, leaving me with the pleasure of feeling I was “in the know”. However, after we had been rudely shunned for lunch by the sweaty and flappable staff at very busy Hallertau Brew Bar and Restaurant, it was another in my party that came up with our eating destination – one that I knew nothing about.


The Tasting Shed is the newest of the somewhat slim pickings for daytime food in the Kumeu wine tasting area, recently opened by owners Jo and Ganesh Raj. Take the road just north of Kumeu (which is heavily sign posted for the very pleasant Coopers Creek Vineyard) and turn right at the carpark. There you will see a second car park and a large, luscious field with a couple of huge carton-like buildings. This is The Tasting Shed.


This destination was very busy but with happily welcoming, good-looking staff from all corners of the earth – excellent! We were seated under some citrus trees and upon blankets with wooden carton “tables”. Very shortly a bucket of rosé and a few beers were bought to us by a lovely hot young gay staff member, who made sure we settled in happily and liked what we saw on the delicious menu. Made up of sharing plates, small plates and desserts, we ordered separately but shared when it all arrived. 
The snapper fish special was a delight, placed on a perfectly creamy prawn risotto. Meatballs were firm and spicy, the pig’s head came out not looking like the head of the pig but delicious nonetheless; the bread and oil was even a delight! As we dived into the second bottle, we devoured the desserts and cheese, with a comment that the crème caramel was the best ever, devoured by one happy friend.


There was a great load of people there enjoying the afternoon – there were children running around playing and groups of friends and families having fun. We chatted with many of them sharing the shade under the trees.
The wine tasting was to follow lunch, but we managed to while away four hours eating, laughing and drinking on the grass at The Tasting Shed. By the time we wandered out it was 5pm and too late for a wine tour. 
However, if you’re keen to have a go at the tasting trail, stop past the information centre in the centre of Kumeu town – you can pick up a free map and guide of the wineries in the area.


Here are my favourites – for not only the wines but the pleasant staff and beauty of the places.

Kumeu River Wines, though annoyingly not open on Sundays, has superb wine and if you get a member of the family to serve you, they will tell you about their family history of the vines and the wines.

Matua Valley is off the main road but a very beautiful drive to get to and is a light and stunning venue; the staff are fun and responsive too.

Coopers Creek is trendy and often has special events on which are a reason to go to this area in itself.

The new motorway extension at the end of the North Western cuts the time from the city to Kumeu by about 15 minutes. It’s a breeze to get there!

| Master Bite


The Tasting Shed

Address: State Highway 16, Kumeu, Auckland

Ph: 09 412 6454 Website: www.thetastingshed.co.nz
Open: Wed-Thurs: 4 to 10pm. Fri, Sat, Sun: 12pm to 11pm

Bottom line: A perfect way to escape the city for a long lunch followed by tasting at local wineries. My top pick to show off the best of our culture and beauty to visitors in one afternoon!