Allow extra time to tour

Waiheke offers plenty of delightful options for a wine tour but if you can get out of bed in time for an early start try this:

Starting from Matiatia Wharf, turn left to Peninsula Estate, and enjoy a drop of their red while enjoying the view from its magnificent headland overlooking Oneroa Beach.

Pass though Oneroa, stopping off at Robinson's for some great coffee, and Ostend, where if you haven't had breakfast you should try the eggs benedict at Nourish.

Then head for the cluster of wineries on the Onetangi straight, among them Waiheke's other founding vineyard, Stonyridge, with its majestic Larose.

If you want an excuse to tour the relatively undeveloped eastern end of the island, drive out for a look at reclusive millionaire John Spencer's Stony Batter Estate's impressive plantings, though he's unlikely to invite you in.

Continuing round the loop road, drop in at Passage Rock Wines, near the head of Te Matuku Bay, for another tasty red.

Make a detour to Awaawaroa Bay and Christensen Estate (you'll need to make an appointment), which produces an interesting merlot on land they reckon to be 30 million years older than the rest of Waiheke.

By now you're probably feeling peckish so take the road to Rocky Bay and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch at Te Whau Vineyard, which not only produces some outstanding wines, but also has my favourite restaurant in the world, with great food and a spectacular view (better make a booking).

It'll be mid-afternoon by the time you finish lunch, but instead of a siesta try a nice slow drive round to Goldwater Estate, on the other side of Putiki Bay, where if you feel the need for a break from marvellous reds try their new Zell chardonnay or the charming rose.

To complete the circuit, go back through Oneroa and head left to Church Bay, where there's another cluster of grape plantings, including Mudbrick Vineyard, which also has a fine cafe.

Then, if you have enough room, crack one of the bottles of Goldwater Wood's Hill red you bought earlier and enjoy a great pizza at Stefano's in Surfdale.

After that, it'll be time to head for late the ferry, where you can thank your lucky stars they don't have weight restrictions on passengers who have too much wine in either their bellies or their baggage. Then again, you could stay the night.