Sunshine adds to perfect groove

Wine and music-lovers were treated to the best of Wairarapa weather for a double helping of the annual Classic Hits Winery Tour.

Performers who took to the stage at Alana Estate at Martinborough on Saturday night and Tui Breweries at Mangatainoka on Sunday night were Fat Freddys Drop, AnikaBoh&Hollie;, and The Adults featuring Jon Toogood and Julia Deans, spokeswoman Jane Torrance said.

Special guest was Clara van Wel, who won the New Zealand's Got Talent show last year.

A crowd of about 2500 attended the Martinborough concert and more than 750 people passed through the gates at Mangatainoka, Ms Torrance said, which was the first time the second Wairarapa venue had been included on the tour itinerary.

"It was the first time I'd been to the brewery. It's really quite spectacular and was a second beautiful night for us in Wairarapa. We were all treated to fantastic weather the whole weekend."

She said the Wairarapa dates were an extra pleasure for Wellington band Fat Freddys Drop, who were playing "for their home crowd from the capital and in the Wairarapa".

She said Featherston musician Warren Maxwell, a former sax player with the band, had attended the tour performance but did not "get up there himself this time".

Ms Torrance said the next leg for performers will take in New Plymouth on the 17-date tour, which started on February 2 at Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana.