Wines from Man O' War Vineyards

Perfect natural conditions together with  high winemaking skills attribute to the success of Man O'War wines. Dramatic scenery and panoramic views are all around when you visit the island home of the Man O'War vineyards.

It was along this coastline that Captain James Cook came to anchor during his first voyage around the islands of New Zealand in 1769. Upon sighting the ancient stands of magnificent Kauri trees ashore, Cook noted in his journals that they would make ideal masts for the Man O’ War warships of the Royal Navy. Thus the name Man O’ War was bestowed upon this unique land.

Over two hundred years after Cook first sighted Man O’ War, the Spencer family was convinced that world class wine could be grown here. Throwing caution to the wind the first vines were planted in 1993. Today Man O’ War is still a family business and consists of 60 ha of vines planted in 76 individual hillside blocks, each with a distinct soil profile and microclimate.

Every single block bears the footprints, and sometimes the names, of those who transformed Man O’ War’s rugged hillsides into a spectacular patchwork of vines. Each block has been meticulously designed with different rootstocks, clones and planting densities to best match the specific terroir on offer. Each small parcel of vines is carefully tended and harvested by hand, then vinified separately, fusing classic Old World techniques with innovative New World ideas.

Reviews & Accolades:

• Top Wineries of New Zealand 2018 & 2019 & 2020 & 2021 – Bob Campbell MW
• “Man O’ War has established itself as one of the most serious winegrowers on Waiheke Island… Man O’ War has helped make Waiheke Island wine accessible to the general consumer, while the flagship black-labelled wines have earned extremely high critical praise as among the finest examples from Waiheke. ” –  Raymond Chan
• “Man O’War – sensational Syrah from New Zealand.”– Jamie Goode