Marlborough Wine Festival to feature year dragon

Dragon will bring the February sun to Brancott Vineyard for the Marlborough Wine Festival, Wine Marlborough says.

The reformed Kiwi super group from the 1970s and 1980s will be the headline act at the 29th festival on February 11.

Marlborough Wine Festival spokesman Marcus Pickens said Dragon was a perfect headline act for the festival in 2012, the year of the dragon in Chinese astrology.

First formed by Marc and Todd Hunter back in 1973, Dragon made their first appearance at The Great Ngaruawahia Music Festival, and went on to become one of the most recognised and beloved bands of the era.

Todd Hunter reformed the group in 2006, with renowned New Zealander Mark Williams as lead singer. In 2008 the band was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame and this year into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Dragon will play hits such as April Sun in Cuba, Are You Old Enough and Rain, during their first appearance at the festival.

"In China the dragon is seen as the ultimate cultural symbol, signifying success and enjoyment. The Marlborough Wine Festival is also a symbol of these things.

"We see ourselves as the original New Zealand wine festival and every year we see thousands of happy consumers come to this amazing location eager to be a part of it," Mr Pickens said.

The 8000 tickets for the festival at Brancott Vineyard go on sale tomorrow.