Despite a damp finish to festivities, the rain thankfully held off for the majority of Toast Martinborough yesterday.
Although final numbers won’t be confirmed until later in the week, organisers estimate up to 7000 wine lovers attended the 30th instalment of the event, according to marketing manager Ash McKenna.
While that’s down on previous years, “We weren’t expecting to sell out this time, due to the way the cost of living has hit the events industry in general, and the numbers we did get really suited the various sites well,” she said, taking a glass half full view – and despite that downturn, two of the three VIP Experiences were sold out.
Among the highlights were the two new sites joining established stalwarts Palliser Estate, Luna at Parehua, Ata Rangi, Tirohana Estate, Moy Hall, and The Runholder – Hunting Giants [a collaboration that involved On Giants Shoulders and Huntress wineries providing liquid refreshments, and Tora Collective and Saint Sebastian offering food] and Boundary Block [featuring the wine of Escarpment, Big Sky, and Stad_ko].
It was also the first time a local beer was available – Martinborough Brewery’s specially created Winemaker’s lager.
“There was a lot of smiling and dancing, and – of course – an amazing variety of world-class wine to sample. It was a great day.”
