For immediate release 28 September 2005

Dancing Queens (& Kings) Visit Toast Martinborough

Festival Tickets on Sale Next Wednesday

There will be dancing among the vines at this year's Toast Martinborough with some of the performers from television's Dancing with the Stars making an appearance. Tickets for the annual wine and food festival go on sale at Red Tickets (Ticket Master) next Wednesday 5 October.

Jason Gunn, Shane Cortese, Nerida Lister and competition winners Norm Hewitt and Carol-Ann Hickmore will take the stage alongside the Abba Addiction and The Troubadours at Tirohana Estate and Murdoch James Estate vineyard.

"Dancing to the great entertainment on offer is something that festival goers have come to relish at Toast Martinborough," said organiser Cath Hopkin.

"From picking up ballroom dancing tips from some of the best to grooving to top Kiwi band Goldenhorse, this year provides lots of opportunities for festival goers to dust off their dancing shoes and enjoy a boogie."

Other entertainers performing at Toast Martinborough include Wellington favourites The Hiptet and Hawke's Bay's The Tropical Downbeat Orchestra.

"From cool jazz to hot rock and funky soul, there's something for everyone at this year's festival," Cath Hopkin said.

Martinborough Vineyard is celebrating 25 years of winemaking in the area with a special dinner on the evening before the festival (Saturday 19 November). One of the first vineyards to put Martinborough on the wine map, the winery is hosting this event which will feature some of their leading wines from recent years and a menu compiled by top Sydney chef Neil Perry. Tickets to the celebratory dinner are available by contacting the vineyard.

Festival goers will also have the chance to learn more about wine and the art of winemaking at Craggy Range's 'Meet the Winemakers' sessions, while foodies can again take on the challenge of picking the top beef or lamb dish on offer at the event.

Pitting their taste buds against those of judges Greg Heffernan (NZ Beef and Lamb Marketing Bureau's Ambassador Chef), Lauraine Jacobs (Cuisine Magazine), David Burton (wine and food writer) and Catherine Bell (Dish Magazine; Epicurean workshop), all competition entries that correctly guess the judges' selection go into a draw for a weekend for two staying at the Margrain Vineyard Villas.

"With a tantalising array of superbly crafted dishes finely matched to some of the region's award winning wines and complemented by a great range of entertainment, this year's festival is definitely one not to miss," Cath Hopkin said.

Tickets to the festival are expected to sell out quickly again this year. The tickets will be available from Red Tickets (Ticket Master) from 9.00am next Wednesday 5

ENDS

© Scoop Media