Comic touch for Toast festival

SPECIAL GUEST: Actor and comedian Mark Hadlow will feature at this year's event, helping run a 'Wine 101' seminar at Ata Rangi. PHOTOS/FILE

The thousands of visitors at Toast Martinborough tomorrow can expect a few new touches - an appearance by Kiwi funnyman Mark Hadlow among them.

This year's Toast will involve 10 vineyards and 11 Wairarapa eateries, and over 20 live acts.

Vineyards will be offering various culinary and beverage events and workshops on top of their usual fare - such as large-scale barbecues, seafood cooking demonstrations, sangria bars and barista workshops.

"We decided we'd go for some more foodie-focused events over and above what's already on offer," said festival organiser Rachael Fletcher.

"We've got some great people contributing their talents."

These include Hobbit actor, comedian and wine lover Mark Hadlow, who will be teaming up with Ata Rangi head winemaker Helen Masters for a "Wine 101" presentation.

"It'll be a fun and light-hearted, but also informative session on the world of wine," said Mrs Fletcher.

Ata Rangi will be hosting an espresso coffee-making tutorial by Cafe L'Affare and an informal seminar on pairing wine with freshly shucked oysters.

Palliser Estate will be hosting award-winning Greytown butcher Gavin Green, who will be demonstrating how to barbecue specialty beef and lamb "with fancy rubs and sauces".

Auckland-based chef Julie Biuso will be running tutorials on preparing and cooking seafood at Escarpment, which will also be serving Stewart Island seafood throughout the day.

Margrain Vineyard and Te Kairanga will be holding bubbles and sangria bars on-site, and Dry River will have a sculpture garden with a collection of works by Martinborough-based artists.

Live acts will be offering entertainment, including Afro-beat band King Ori Ori & The Masterons - featuring Warren Maxwell - electrofolk artist Sonic Delusion, the 18-piece Aspire Big Band, the Wellington Sea Shanty Society, and the Latin-fusion Carlos Navae Band.

"And, as always, there will be some astoundingly good wines," said Mrs Fletcher.