Italian Lunch Experience - 7hrs

A day out in the Magical Mangawhai, with an Italian pizza lunch experience as the highlight!

What's included

• Collection from your accommodation or home in Mangawhai Village or Mangawhai Heads
• Coffee from an amazing local café
• Chocolate tasting and a box of chocolates from Bennetts Chocolate Factory to take home
• Mangawhai Museum visit
• Full interactive Italian pizza lunch experience
• Gin and wine tasting and a platter at Brooke Lane Winery
• Return drop off at your door

Suggested timeline

• 9am: collection from your door
• Coffee and chocolate sampling at Bennetts, see the chocolate being made through the gallery windows (depending on the day of the week this may not be available)
• Mangawhai Museum to see the history of our amazing local town, from the settlers and Maori to how the sand mining affected the town and how the locals came together to repair the damage
• Italian pizza lunch experience (2 to 3 hours)
• Gin and wine tasting and a platter at Brooke Lane Winery, with the best views in Mangawhai
• Around 3.30pm: home again

Times are flexible, so just let us know what suits your group. Don't forget to bring your togs for a swim in the pool!

The Italian lunch experience

Your lunch is a true Neapolitan pizza experience with Donato, who has lived in New Zealand for 12 years and is still very, very Italian. You are greeted with a traditional aperitivo on arrival and enjoy a selection of Italian antipasto while Donato shows you how to make authentic pizza dough. Then the pizza making begins, with fresh traditional ingredients from his garden and local suppliers. Have a go at forming the pizzas or learn the skill of cooking in the wood fired oven. After the pizzas comes dessert and espresso coffee.

Everything happens outdoors in front of the roaring pizza oven, under the pergola with its breathtaking view over the valley and out to the Brynderwyns. Donato has lots of banter for anyone who wants to take him on, or your group can enjoy a quiet time at your private table, whichever you prefer.

Aperitivo, non alcoholic drinks and coffee are supplied, and you are welcome to bring your own other drinks. All glassware and ice is provided. It is for private groups only.

Please note the pizza kitchen is next to an open pool area. The property is fenced, but because of the risk we cannot take guests with children who can crawl or walk but are not confident swimmers. In very bad weather the experience may be cancelled, and we would discuss this with you first. The winery asks for no music at tastings, as other guests are on site.

Price per person

The price depends on the size of your group and includes everything listed above except museum entry, which is paid on the day.

• 5 to 7 people: $330 per person
• 8 to 11 people: $300 per person

For groups smaller than 5 or larger than 11, a different start time or travelling from further away, please get in touch and we will confirm the price.

Delays past the agreed pickup time are $15 per 15-minute block.

Enquire now