"The winery outgrew the space, which left us with a lovely character wooden-beamed building.
"Dining here feels like there's nobody else around and we've had many events - from hens' parties to 90th birthday celebrations - booked in the room."
The Potager Garden Room hosts a maximum of 50 and has the same menu as the main restaurant, with its own kitchen and bar.
You'll often see chefs out collecting herbs from the garden and Robyn tells me it has been a stunning season for Mudbrick wine, in case you need an extra reason to visit this slice of paradise.
Maldito Mendez
Ponsonby Central, 4 Brown St, Ponsonby
For entry-level private dining, South American eatery Maldito Mendez has a private dining room complete with an old bakery table from Uruguay and green glass lights made from old wine bottles with the bottoms cut off.
Twenty people can be seated at the table or up to 30 can fit for a cocktail function. The atmosphere is casual South American style with a soundtrack of smooth Latin beats and plenty of candles to create ambience.
"It's pretty fun, with a good, busy atmosphere," says owner chef Sarah Mendez.
"You can have your own private little party going on and even create your own margarita syrups - hibiscus and chilli ginger are the most popular."
They also sell sangria by the jug - with options like pineapple, chilli and coriander - and daily specials.
On the day we visit, the blackboard choice is Goat Birria with Pink Onions, Queso Fresco and freshly made Flour Tortillas.
The Wine Library Room at Cable Bay Vineyards
12 Nick Johnstone Drive, Oneroa, Waiheke
Cable Bay Vineyard is renowned for its spectacular views, but deep underground is a wine library room for when you need a private, intimate and dramatic event for up to 14 people. It's tucked away and private, with quite a different feel to the rest of Cable Bay, which is filled with natural light.
Choose from a three- or seven-course degustation menu and enjoy your meal sitting under a large chandelier, surrounded by vintage reds and wooden wine barrels. The perfect place for top-secret discussions.
Sidart
283 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
On Ponsonby Rd in the Three Lamps Plaza is Sidart. The whole restaurant can be booked out for private dining for between 15 and 40 people, or you can book the chef's table - slightly elevated with an even better view of the city lights - as an interactive dining experience for up to six.
"We get lots of foodies booking this table," says owner Sid Sahrawat. "They want to know so much - how we make the puree so smooth, where the food is grown ... It keeps our job exciting when people take an interest in what we do."
The food at Sidart is modern, creative New Zealand cuisine and on Tuesday nights there's a Test Kitchen, which means no menu, just an envelope on the table listing a few ingredients. Sid says some people want to guess the ingredients so don't open the envelopes until after the food has been eaten.
"It's formal, but fun at the same time," says Sid.
"Fine dining doesn't have to be uptight. We just want to look after people."
For something less formal, try Sid's newest restaurant, Cassia (5 Fort Lane, CBD). It serves modern Indian cuisine with a menu changing with the seasons and has a clay oven for cooking meat in the traditional tandoor style, finished with charcoal.
There is a semi-private dining room for up to 16, known as the Holi Room (after the colouful Indian spring festival welcoming), as well as a fully private room seating up to 20. Try a cocktail such as Sinbad the Sailor, their twist on the classic Pina Colada.
O'Connell St Bistro
3 O'Connell St, Auckland CBD
A New York Times review of Auckland's beloved O'Connell St Bistro said: "If we could have stuffed the O'Connell St Bistro into our luggage and brought it back to the United States, we would have ..."
Hardened foodies in my family are equally enamoured by this modern European bistro, with its intimate atmosphere and elegant menu. It's the place they always head to when visiting from overseas.
Tucked away behind the bistro, though, is a private dining room many don't know exists. Known as the Corner Room, it has hosted prime ministers, royalty and celebrities. If only its walls could talk.
It's large enough to hold up to 26 people.
The Obi Room at Masu
90 Federal St, Auckland City
"Most people associate Japanese restaurants with raw fish and rice, but we also have a huge robata grill concept," says Masu's executive head chef, Nic Watt.
"We cater for everyone from a contemporary Japanese meal of salmon teriyaki to the very elaborate and exquisite using ninth grade Wagyu beef."
Behind a bubbled glass wall, up to 18 people can sit around one long table carved out of a single piece of suar hardwood from Indonesia. Sewn-together obi belts from an Osaka flea market adorn the wall. It's a very calming space.
In contrast, the restaurant is full of drama, with the large team of sushi chefs creating masterpieces while the bar staff chip a huge block of ice that's been deoxidised so it doesn't dilute your drink as quickly as normal ice.
Bespoke shochu blends sit infusing in glass jars. For $35 per person, you can also add a sake-appreciation upgrade to your booking, which buys you sake etiquette tips and three premium sakes.
Clooney Restaurant
33 Sale St, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Clooney's new basement Dom Perignon Room takes the idea of a "chef's table" to a luxurious new level, allowing diners to sit and watch executive chef Des Harris perform culinary magic. It's suitable for up to 18 people.
Above this room is a semi-private dining space for up to 14. It's dramatically draped with thick curtains lit by a series of lights that create a "long white cloud" floating above the table. The seats are opulent black antiques.
Hotel festive feasts
Fancy being able to totally relax on Christmas Day, rather than slaving over a hot stove? You don't have to reserve a private dining room to spoil yourself - you can book ahead to celebrate a Christmas meal at a hotel.
• The Langham Auckland has a range of options for celebrating the Christmas season at its dining establishments Eight and Palm Court. You can check out Christmas breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner menus and pricing on the hotel's website under "Christmas 2014 at The Langham Auckland", by clicking on the "Dining" tab. The Langham Auckland, 83 Symonds St, Auckland, ph (09) 300 2924.
• Hectors Restaurant at Auckland's Heritage Hotel has lunch and dinner sittings available on Christmas Day. The meal costs $120 per person and includes a glass of champagne. You will need to book ahead. Hectors Restaurant, Heritage Auckland, 35 Hobson St, Auckland, ph (09) 979 7434.
• With wonderful harbour views, Hilton Auckland's Fish restaurant has a five-course Christmas Day menu, priced at $120 per person, excluding beverages. Fish Restaurant, Hilton Auckland, Princes Wharf, 147 Quay St, Auckland, ph (09) 978 2020.
