Foley Wines is the new home of Toast Martinborough

Foley Wines continues to extend their generous embrace of iconic New Zealand wine brands by purchasing an iconic New Zealand wine event - Toast Martinborough.

Toast Martinborough, New Zealand’s iconic wine and food festival, has been sold to Foley Wines. The festival has been facing constraints, like many in the hospitality sector whose challenges have been exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19 and unfavourable harvest conditions.

In response to financial constraints, the Toast Martinborough board initiated a capital raise amongst existing shareholders, but the endeavour fell short of the required support.

Following the consideration of alternative solutions, Foley Wines presented an offer to buy out shareholders and provide the necessary funds to settle outstanding debts with suppliers. In a unanimous decision, shareholders expressed their support for the company to take over the event.

But what does this mean for the festival-lovers? Has the Festival sold out?

Foley Wines - already deeply ingrained in the Martinborough community through Te Kairanga and Martinborough Vineyard wineries, the Lighthouse Gin distillery, and the recently opened Runholder - is poised to revitalise the festival and its format.

Foley Wines CEO Mark Turnbull says it’s an exciting move for the business, which is committed to maintaining the iconic 30 year history of the festival while ensuring it remains relevant for the future. 

“While the strategy is still evolving, our team intends to work collaboratively with the community to ensure Toast Martinborough remains an iconic event for years to come,” Turnbull says. 

“Based on feedback from festivalgoers, our initial view is that the festival may be better suited to February rather than November, and a Saturday rather than a Sunday, though further details will be provided in due course.”

As far as what other changes may come — festival lovers and industry can lean into Foley Wines’ already extensive commitment to the region and the New Zealand wine story. Foley Wines says their wineries are linked by a common unrelenting purpose; to make great wine that people love to drink around the world  – made by land & hand.  Their ambition is to be New Zealand's most revered wine group through the ownership of iconic wineries in the country's most acclaimed regions, inspiring the most discerning retailers and restaurants around the world. 

Pete Monk, former Chairman of Toast Martinborough, acknowledged the hurdles faced by the festival in recent years and expressed gratitude that Foley Wines could step in. 

“Toast has been an iconic event in the Wairarapa for three decades. However, the past few years have posed significant challenges,” Monk says.

“This outcome hands over custodianship to one of our founding shareholders, meaning the festival is in excellent hands for its next chapter.”