Toast Martinborough is being held on Saturday 14th November 2026, reverting to the same late spring weekend that has been the defining weekend of the festival for over three decades. The festival will now take place on Saturday rather than Sunday, allowing attendees to make the most of the celebration, giving more flexibility to travel home comfortably and enjoy a relaxed end to the weekend.

Toast Martinborough will now be a centrally curated festival showcasing the region’s wine and food, hosted exclusively at The Runholder. The Runholder site offers a spacious layout with everything conveniently within walking distance, including a main stage, bar and food tents, open grass areas, seating and shaded spaces, ample facilities and a dedicated VIP area. After the incredible response to last November’s event, The Runholder Presents: A Boutique Festival of Wine, Gin, Food & Music, this format of the event you loved now becomes the new era of Toast Martinborough.

We are committed to maintaining the iconic 30-year history and spirit of the festival while ensuring it remains relevant for the future. Local wineries, exceptional food and outstanding live music will continue to define the Toast Martinborough experience, while the setting evolves from a multi-venue festival to a single-site festival held exclusively at The Runholder.

The move to a single-site festival is designed to creative a more immersive and cohesive festival atmosphere, enhance accessibility and comfort for attendees, strengthen collaboration between participating wineries and food partners, and to support the long-term sustainability of the event. 

Yes, Toast Martinborough remains a celebration of wine and food from around the region. Invited wineries and food partners will have a presence at The Runholder venue so you can experience multiple wineries together in one curated gathering.

Free shuttle buses will run throughout the day between The Runholder and Martinborough Square, making it easy to get to and from the venue. If you’re driving, parking will be available nearby. There will also be the option to buy return bus tickets from Wellington or towns in Wairarapa to the event.

Yes, there will be a ticket option for a curated VIP experience, hosted in The Runholder Cottage. More details to come.

Toast Martinborough was purchased by one of its founding shareholders, Foley Wines Limited in 2024. Foley Wines is deeply ingrained in the Martinborough community through Te Kairanga and Martinborough Vineyard wineries, the Lighthouse Gin distillery, and The Runholder Restaurant & Cellar Door. Toast Martinborough aligns with the Foley business’ broader interests in the region, including Wharekauhau Country Estate and Wellington’s Pravda, Shed 5 and The Crab Shack.

After careful reflection post the Toast Martinborough event in January 2025 event, it was decided not to hold another festival in November 2025 to allow time to thoughtfully evolve the Toast Martinborough experience.