Premier annual Wairarapa wine and food event Toast Martinborough has been postponed to mid-January 2022.
General Manager of the iconic festival, Ariel Codde, says the decision to reschedule it from Sunday 21 November to Sunday 16 January 2022 is based on current uncertainty and risks posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19.
“We are extremely disappointed to have to postpone. But with the information we currently have, our scheduled date will fall outside the government’s timeframe for introducing vaccine certificate requirements for large events.”
Such is Toast Martinborough’s popularity, this year was a sell-out with all 8500 tickets gobbled up early, and more than 1000 Toast hopefuls still on a waitlist.
Mrs Codde is confident that the new date will be just as popular. Current ticket holders will have their tickets automatically updated to the new date, though a refund can be requested up until 29 October for those who can’t attend. Ticketing agent iTICKET will be in contact with all ticket holders for confirmation of the rescheduled date or procedures on obtaining a refund.
If some festival lovers can’t make it on 16 January, it’s good news for those on the waitlist. They will have first opportunity to purchase any refunded tickets, and will be contacted by Toast Martinborough directly. If required, any remaining tickets will open for sale on Monday 1 November once the refund window closes.
It’s a case of déjà vu for the festival, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the scheduled weekend remained busy with people already booked to come to the South Wairarapa wine village continuing to do so.
The same is expected this year. Destination Wairarapa General Manager Anna Nielson says last year’s Toast weekend was a bumper couple of days with a feast of small events.
“We are planning for the same again, noting that all venues will be operating under Alert Level-2 restrictions,” Ms Nielson says.
“We know from accommodation bookings for Toast Martinborough that people were coming from all over the country. Although Toast is delayed, many of those people will still be coming and making their own wine and food weekend.”
Organisers are pleased that the iconic festival has been able to find a postponement date rather than have to cancel for a second year in a row.
“There are a tremendous number of moving parts and a massive operations team, supplier network and suite of volunteers required to hold this festival,” confirms Mrs Codde.
“We are overwhelmed by the support from all the vineyard sites, stakeholders, sponsors and our amazing Martinborough village in moving everything to a new date. We look forward to welcoming wine and food lovers to the festival in the New Year. One thing’s for sure – bring your sunscreen as well as your taste buds!”
