:a life at mudbrick
A Life at
Mudbrick
The extraordinary journey of an eatery
that is now such an important part of the
Waiheke landscape
In perfect celebration of 20 years on Waiheke Island,
Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant has recently released a cookbook
that not only illustrates the divine culinary creations Mudbrick has
become renowned for, but also explores the history of the winery and
eatery as well as the island that is so much a part of its culture.
When they decided to leave their busy Auckland lives and plant
a small vineyard on Waiheke over 20 years ago, Mudbrick founders
Robyn and Nick Jones couldn't have imagined it would be the
beginning of such an incredible adventure. Mudbrick is now a worldfamous, award-winning restaurant and vineyard, and a favourite
venue for weddings.
In a prologue to over 40 fine-dining recipes, Robyn explains how
the availability and ease of getting fresh produce to the island has
improved immensely over the years.
"Many of the bigger food companies now send their own trucks
over on the ferry once or twice a week. We used to have to plate food
that wasn't as fresh as we would have liked it to be. A lot of things
still come that way but it is a matter of organization to ensure we get
the best, freshest produce possible."
Part cookbook, part homage to the beauty and appeal of life
of Waiheke Island, A Life at Mudbrick recounts the couple's
extraordinary journey to create this iconic vineyard and restaurant,
now such an important part of the Waiheke landscape.
"My favourite thing about the island is definitely the people.
Waiheke is made up of all walks of life from the completely filthy
rich to dirt poor, but because you're surrounded by water you're all in
this together. It's not like Auckland or anywhere else in New Zealand.
On Waiheke you have the opportunity to meet people you wouldn't
ordinarily meet."
Because the island's population is so transient, Robyn's closest
friends are the tried and true 'locals' that, like her, will live out their
days on the island named after 'the descending waters'.
"People will often stay a year or two then head back to the
mainland. They either find island life lacks too many 'necessities' or
they have children and want more options in education than what is
available here."
Robyn's own two children, Francie (18) and Oscar (16) have
grown up through the Waiheke education system but their proud
mother is prepared for the fact that they'll most likely head off to "do
their own thing" instead of jumping straight into the family business.
But if she has her way they won't be away for too long.
94 | www.h e rma gaz i n e . c o. n z
