You've Heard of Man O' War. We're the Neighbours You Haven't Met Yet.
If you're planning a trip out to Man O' War on Waiheke Island, we certainly don’t blame you. It's an icon for a reason: vines as far as the eye can see, a stunning beachfront tasting room, cliffs, kauri forest - they even have a 900-metre zipline, the thrilling Man O War Forest flight (highly recommended, but perhaps before lunch!).
Some of our own team's favourite days off have ended with a glass in hand at Man O' War Bay.
But we'd like to make you an offer before you get there.
We're Jasper Ridge. We're the island's smallest commercial vineyard, tucked above Omaru Bay, just a few minutes from the road you're already driving on. Chances are you've never heard of us, and that's fair enough. We don't have 4,500 acres or a beach. What we do have is some of the most awarded small-batch wine on Waiheke, a spectacular view, two very charming border collies, and a habit of surprising people who weren't expecting to stop.
We’ve got some pretty spectacular views of our own at Jasper Ridge Estate
The turn most people miss
On your way out to Man O' War, you'll drive through the quiet, rural heart of eastern Waiheke - past vineyards, native bush, wetlands and some of the best coastal views on the island. Eventually you'll reach a junction on Orapiu Road. Almost everyone turns left, drives straight to Man O' War Bay, and then turns around and drives straight back out the way they came.
Here's what most people don't realise: the road out here is a loop. Turn right instead, and you can experience some of the island’s most spectacular hidden gems: Passage Rock, then us, then Waiheke Distilling Co., before arriving at Man O' War from the other side. Same destination, same amount of driving, but instead of a there-and-back trip, you get four experiences instead of one.
What you'll find if you turn our way
Jasper Ridge - us. What was open farmland until 2001 is now a small, family-run vineyard threaded with regenerating native bush and wetland, watched over by a grandfather puriri tree that's older than all of it. David and Derek run the place hands-on (with help from border collies Archie and Angus), and it shows in the wine. Recent vintages have picked up an extraordinary run of Gold and 5-Star ratings from Wine Orbit, including 97 points for our 2024 Reserve Syrah, and our 2024 Rosé was ranked #1 out of 97 rosés in New Zealand by Bob Campbell at The Real Review, who called it ‘everything that a good rosé should be but seldom is.’
Their dedication to keeping things artisanal shows in what's on offer alongside the wine, too - the 'Taste of Waiheke' experience pairs your pour with local produce, snacks and nibbles from small businesses around the island, including Waiheke Chocolate and Te Matuku Grove olive oil. You're also welcome to pick up some wine and produce from the cellar door to take home afterwards.
Come and see us for a private or group tasting, and you'll likely find David or Derek pouring it themselves.
Co-owner David is pictured with Teresa, owner of Te Makutu Grove olive oil
Passage Rock Wines - a short drive from us in the Te Matuku Valley, Passage Rock has spent over two decades quietly building New Zealand's most awarded Syrah, with 18 Gold medals and 7 trophies to date. Their vine-side bistro is one of the most relaxed lunch spots on the island.
Waiheke Distilling Co. - perched on a ridge above Cowes Bay with arguably the best view anywhere on Waiheke, this family-run distillery crafts award-winning gin and vodka from botanicals grown in their own garden. Their Garden Bar is the kind of place you plan to stay for one drink and stay for three.
Three very different experiences, a few minutes apart, none of us trying to be the other. That's rather the point.
Loop all the way round to Man O' War
This isn't an either/or, and it isn't a detour - it's the same road, just travelled the long way. Start with lunch at Passage Rock, stop with us for a tasting, call in on Waiheke Distilling Co. for a gin, and you'll still roll into Man O' War for your original plan, just from the opposite direction. Same drive, same destination, four stops instead of one - and no doubling back on yourself.
If you'd rather not drive at all, Fullers' Waiheke Eastern Explorer Tour loops through this side of the island for you, taking in the vineyards, the distillery and the coastal scenery in an easy half or full day.
There's history out here too, if you're the type to want it - Te Matuku Bay was once a thriving settlement, and Waiheke's Pioneer Cemetery, ghost story included, isn't far off the road.
Come and see us
You already know about Man O' War, and we're glad you're going - say hello to our friends there for us. But turn right at that junction instead of left, and you'll find a quieter, smaller, no-less-award-winning side of eastern Waiheke - Waiheke's best-kept secret, if we're honest. We just don't mind if you tell absolutely everyone.
Book a tasting with us at Jasper Ridge and make a proper day of the east end - us, Passage Rock, Waiheke Distilling Co., and Man O' War, all in one loop.