Wonderful Waiheke

This fascinating and delicious expression has been created especially for Dramfest 2023 by Patrick Newton our head distiller and exemplifies our DYAD wine finish range. Double distilled in copper pot stills in February 2018 from NZ peated malt, the whisky was then aged in bourbon casks for 4 years. Patrick also made the Waiheke Island vintage fortified 'port' wine which was aged in American oak barrels. It was these barrels that, once emptied, were used to finish this single malt whisky for one year prior to bottling.

Dyad is our wine barrel finish range. This release distilled in 2015 is made from unpeated New Zealand malt. Double distilled in copper pot stills and firstly matured in a refill bourbon barrel, before being finished in a French oak ex Chardonnay barrel from our friends at Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke Island. A rich and inviting nose leads to a complex palate with some umami character. An oily mouthfeel, well balanced with both sugar and lemon notes. A long finish with hints of a nutty, yeasty character from the Chardonnay.

Made from peated New Zealand malt, double distilled in copper pot stills and aged in American oak casks. Full bodied and easy drinking, Moss is a gateway to New Zealand peat. A crowd-pleasing whisky with floral aromas of jasmine, liquorice, vanilla bean and cough syrup, created by the interaction of the lightly peated malt with the American oak wine barrels, which have been shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR). Further maturation in first fill bourbon barrels provides a creamy texture and a long lingering finish with spice and sweet fruit, and a teasing hint of smoke.

Made from New Zealand malt, double distilled in copper  pot stills and aged for 5 years in French oak ex white wine casks, which have been shaved, toasted and re-charred, then finished in ex-bourbon barrels. Sweet and malty aromas on the nose lead to primary tastes of candied orange peel and honeycomb on the palate. The finish in American oak lends notes of almonds, clove and vanilla. This mouth coating, easy drinking whisky surprises with the bourbon creaminess giving way to a long peppery dry finish.

This delicious American style whisky is made from 51% corn, 21% rye and 28% Barley. Matured in our oceanside barrel house, it has a grassy, spicy tone with a distinct Rye note. Look for notes of toasted oak, spices and vanilla. Cream corn and smooth caramel finishes with a hint of rye bite. 

Colour Burnt Caramel 

Nose Sweet oak, spice and vanilla. 

Palate Toasted oak, spices and vanilla, cream corn and smooth caramel, summer grass. 

Finish Spicy finish with distinct rye notes.

This delicious American style whisky is made from 51% corn, 21% rye and 28% Barley. Matured in our oceanside barrel house, it has a grassy, spicy tone with a distinct Rye note that balances the sweetness of the honey. Look for notes of toasted oak, spices and vanilla wrapped in the phenolic sweetness of Manuka Honey. 100% natural Manuka Honey made on Waiheke Island. 

Colour Lemon and Honey 

Nose Honey and sweet spice caramel 

Palate Toasted oak, spices and vanilla wrapped in the phenolic sweetness of Manuka Honey. 

Finish Dryer than expected with phenol and pepper

Fair Light is a first-ever blend of premium unpeated single malt, with the distiller's selection of Waiheke's peated back catalogue. Fair Light is named for the first ever synthesizer. This speaks to the synthesis of the two hemispheres that went into this bottling. 

Colour Amber Light 

Nose Heather, honey, vanilla spices, gentle peat 

Palate There are hints of heather honey and vanilla, followed by subtle spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Gentle NZ peat smoke and chocolate. 

Finish Medium-long, dried fruit, chocolate.

Commercial description

With our Chardonnay we give a maceration of the whole bunches before pressing which increases the amount of grape solids in the juice to give greater intensity of varietal character and structure. Once fermentation is finished we add small amounts of sulphur at each topping to preserve the freshness and fruitfulness of the wine. We do not stir the lees or allow the wine to go through malolactic fermentation. 

Man O? War Chardonnay exhibits intense ripe stone fruit characters with subtle hints passionfruit seed and a nutty lees influence.

Made from a blend of 60% Waiheke and 40% Gisborne Chardonnay grapes, this wine is perfectly balanced with a delicious long finish highlighting the almost 12 months the wine has spent in barrel.

Rich and concentrated with nectarine, lime and passion-fruit with toasty vanilla slight, buttery element and butterscotch undertones.

Only produced in the best years, this Reserve Syrah is Passage Rock's showcase wine.

Rich ripe aromas of dark forest fruit and spice, coffee and vanilla on the nose lead to a dark garnet intensity in the glass. On the palate, toasted nuts and spices vie with dark berries, integrated ripe tannins and lacy acidity. Cellar it for 10 to 15 years

Passage Rock Syrah is made from grapes sourced from Waiheke Island's oldest vines. It has a rich bouquet of black currant, dark plums, blackberry and peppery spices, with core fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet. The palate is textural and perfectly balanced. Enjoy over the next five to 10 years

Commercial description

The flagship wine of our Waiheke Island vineyard, Te Motu is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Merlot and Franc, hand harvested from low-yielding vines.

The wine enjoys extended e?levage and maturing in premium French oak before beginning a minimum 3 year term resting in bottle. On release, the wine shows elegance, complexity and firm yet supple tannins ? the hallmarks of its longevity ? and will continue to reward cellaring.

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Commercial description

Bordering the old Waiheke Air Strip this vineyard produces world-class Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot.

Planted when their children were barely walking, John and Paul Dunleavy?s vines have matured over two decades and, like their children, bring their own unique character to this wine.

Aged in barrels for 10 months, but made in a forward, fruit driven style to be enjoyed in youth, The Strip will continue to improve over time with careful cellaring.

A small and high quality winery on Waiheke Island with a 3.5 hectare vineyard which is home to the delicious dark Syrah grapes in this impressive red with its smooth texture and layers of spicy complexity. Flavours are held together in a powerful wine that drinks well now and has the structure to age well for at least five to six years.