Mudbrick Cottages

Leave a little time to wander around the gardens before or after eating. We had a relaxed, lovely lunch at Mudbrick earlier this month for a couple of important birthdays. The staff were attentive and flexible, the food worked for the different dietary needs in our group, and the wine list was great. The cocktails were even better.

Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. The grounds at Mudbrick are so scenic that they hardly need decorations, and the food was fantastic. They even arranged a tiramisu tower for us. The wedding team, Constance and Dina, were polite, responsive, and so experienced that they took the stress out of the whole event. For a reception on Waiheke, it was hard to imagine a better setting: close to the ferry, with panoramic Auckland views, the beautiful lodge on the hill for cocktail hour, and the well-known winery and restaurant.

I don't usually like rosé, but the one at Mudbrick was fresh, lively, and so well balanced that it became a highlight of our wine tasting. The setting was stunning and the other wines were enjoyable too. My one gripe was that all four wines came in the same glasses. Changing them between pours would've helped preserve the taste and made the tasting a bit better. Still, it's a beautiful place with great wines, especially that rosé.

Dina was wonderful from the start, and her genuine care made a big difference to our wedding. She guided us through the rehearsal at The Lodge, which calmed our nerves and helped the bridal party understand what to do. She and the team also handled last-minute guest list and seating changes so smoothly, and helped work out the right aisle dimensions for my Tongan tapa cloth. We planned everything from London, but Mudbrick had thought through every detail and made the process easy. On the day, everything ran like clockwork. The venue is breathtaking, and the weddings team made the whole experience better than we'd expected. If you want a beautiful place with a professional team that really cares, Mudbrick is the place.