Toast Martinborough, New Zealand’s most loved celebration of exceptional wines, fine food, and summer tunes among the vines, is returning this summer with a new Wellington Anniversary date. With six iconic winery locations to experience along a walkable ‘Festival Road’, fine food purveyors, and musicians coming together, it is set to be one of the season’s most unmissable events.
Alongside a calendar of events over the long weekend, the iconic festival takes place on Sunday, January 19th along a picturesque 2.5km stretch from The Runholder to Ata Rangi. Revellers are invited to explore each boutique location, with bespoke culinary offerings and live music creating a unique atmosphere at each winery.
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The Runholder is the perfect place to start your day with a glass of Palliser Estate’s famous bubbles, or a pinot or chardonnay from Te Kairanga or Martinborough Vineyard. Settle in to the shaded cottage gardens with the culinary creations of Shed 5, Crab Shack, Mao & Co, and Goodtimes to pair. At The Vintage Bar, each winemaker will be pouring special and rare drops pulled from their cellar, while garden games and the summer tunes of the Uptakes and DJ Coda & Jen will provide ample atmosphere for the perfect festival afternoon. For those after something brewed rather than fermented, The Runholder will also be serving perfectly chilled beer from the local Martinborough Brewery.
Or, for those wanting to elevate their experience, The Runholder VIP experience affords access to The Runholder lounge including a three-course paired wine lunch, dedicated VIP amenities, and a private bar against a backdrop of breathtaking views from the edge of the Martinborough Terrace. Add a winemaker masterclass, or join the magnum party in the Tasting Room. As dusk falls, circle back to The Runholder to celebrate the day that was at their Sundown Party (almost sold out!).
A 15 minute walk or five minute peddle along the Festival Road, Moy Hall is a quaint, charming spot that embodies Martinborough’s essence perfectly. Savour delicious food cooked over fire and coals by Rose and Smith, or authentic, hand-stretched Italian pizza from Colombo. Moy Hall’s kitchen will star local produce, and, of course, there will be a number of wines on offer produced from the surrounding vines. Will Prior, Winsome Lost, and festival favourites The Noodles will keep toes tapping throughout the day. Moy Hall will be pouring Parrot Dog Beer for those wanting a palate cleanser.
A further five minute stroll along the Festival Road, join Luna Estate in the Moon Garden for live blues, jazz, and top DJs. When you’re ready for a bite, indulge in delicious snacks from award-winning Plonk and Graze and raise a glass of rosé to an unforgettable party. Or, join Luna’s Winemakers Lunch, where you will be treated to a six-wine tasting of Luna Estate, Big Sky and Schubert, with each winemaker walking you through their wines plus a special three-course menu with an optional wine match for each course.
Another short walk between the vines brings festival goers to Poppies Martinborough, joining the festival for the first time this summer. Poppies will be pouring an array of the winery’s much-loved aromatic wines and Garage Project beers, accompanied by delectable global street food by Nick Arnold’s Trestle & Mortar. Shaun Preston along with Hype Entertainment will be completing the perfect wine, food and music occasion with classics and lively tunes.
Next, the picturesque Tirohana Estate, renowned for its award-winning restaurant and fine artisan wines offers plenty of seating and shade under its elegant grand marquee. For those who want to sit back and relax, choose from the terraces overlooking the vines, or the garden dotted with trees. For those who want to party and dance, the Neemias (featuring Drew Neemia), the Satisfactions and DJ Ivan will be setting the mood for the afternoon.
Completing the Festival Road is Ata Rangi, a legendary winery set in the heart of their vineyards. Share a glass of Ata Rangi wines alongside delicious food created by Egmont St Eatery. Or, for those looking to enhance their experience, The Vintage Room offers an intimate space of vintage and single vineyard wines, with the winemaking team and The Egmont St Pop Up wining and dining VIP guests to their heart’s content. Café L’affare will be in the shade of the trees for your coffee fix, and The Bicycle Kitchen have doughnuts and gelato for a sweet treat.
And, because showcasing the best of Martinborough takes more than one day, Toast is inspiring guests to make a long weekend of it, with a number of events taking place across the entire weekend, including opening festivities on Friday evening and the return of the Lighthouse Gin Garden Party on Saturday. The Tauherenikau Glamping Village is also back, with transfers provided to and from the festival. Or, if you’re making the pilgrimage from Wellington, Palmerston North or Wairarapa, return bus travel is available.
Tickets are selling fast, and are on track to be sold out well in advance of the festival, with several VIP options close to sold out. So we suggest gathering your wine friends and secure your tickets here today.
