About us

From its inception, our founders instilled in us a commitment to excellence and a deep reverence for the land. Their vision laid the groundwork for what Tantalus represents today – a celebration of craftsmanship, tradition, and the enduring bond between people and place.

Tantalus Estate, a family-owned winery founded by the Aitken Family in 2016, spans 20 acres of vineyards, olive groves, native wetlands, and beehives. The estate combines world-class wine tasting, a boutique wine shop, a fine dining restaurant, bespoke events and weddings, and our own micro-brewery serving craft beer brewed on-site. All of this, and set against the stunning landscapes of Waiheke Island.

The name Tantalus evokes mystery, inspired by 19th-century decanter sets designed to safeguard precious liquors under lock and key—treasures hidden in plain sight. Like its namesake, Tantalus Estate invites you to uncover the mysteries within through our award-winning wines.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, from dry farming and water recycling to cultivating resilient Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rhône clones, ensuring that every step we take honours the land and future generations.

With striking architecture and verdant landscapes, Tantalus Estate offers a sense of discovery at every turn, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and intrigue.

THE VENUE

Tantalus Estate is a destination for travellers and locals alike. Diners in the main restaurant enjoy an expansive, light-filled venue fabricated from natural materials. Visitors to the private dining room step into the olde world, surrounded by hand-painted tile walls and intricate chandeliers crafted from old vines, creating an ambiance that’s perfect for intimate groups.

From the mezzanine balcony you can peek into the craft brewery on the floor below. Everything is designed to leave an indelible impression: delicious fresh food to match our hand-crafted wines and beers.

Set amongst the vines, our beautiful restaurant offers guests a variety of areas to dine. Relax and enjoy spacious botanical courtyards, comfortable lounge areas, a bright, expansive tasting room and an elegant restaurant and function room. Hidden from the central dining area lies an intimate private dining room and wine library.

THE ESTATE

Tantalus Estate was founded in 2013 on 8.3 hectares of established vineyard land on Waiheke Island. The estate is in the Onetangi Valley at an elevation of 12 to 61 metres above sea level. The valley is the heart of winemaking on the island.

Waiheke lies 18km east of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf, protected from the cold and often wet west and southwesterly winds. Ridgelines to our west and southwest provide further protection. Our climate is drier and hotter than the mainland and is ideally suited to premium grape growing.

Tantalus vineyard has been extensively replanted and re-grafted with meticulous attention to site-specific clonal selection. Our vines grow in sandy soil over weathered clay and clay-based rock, with deposits of iron and manganese oxide. We have significantly upgraded the wetland and forested areas, planting thousands of natives and pulling out exotic species and weeds. We’ll continue to improve the habitat for a welcome variety of birds and insects.

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