Dragon concert next month signals comeback for Moana Park Estate in Napier

Dragon, set to perform at Moana Park Estate on February 6, is expected to be a sellout. Photo / Supplied

Dragon's show at Moana Park Estate next month shows the comeback of one of Hawke's Bay's favourite event venues is here, its owners say.

The Napier winery was put in voluntary administration nearly two years ago and after being sold then faced challenges when Covid-19 upended the wine market.

But the winery hosted its first event of 2021 over the weekend, Another Day in Taradise, and Kiwi music legends Dragon are set to perform early next month.

Ana Popovich, of Moana Park Estate, said the weekend's 14th annual "little family event" had proven a hit and drew a crowd of about 350 people.

"It was a really nice day out.

"Everyone was really impressed and seemed to enjoy the layout."

About 350 people were at Moana Park Estate's first event of the year, Another Day in Taradise. Photo / Grant Humphrey

It was a good start to the year for the company, which was placed in voluntary administration in March 2019.

Later that year, it was sold to Grant Humphrey and Ross Burney of Taiga Group Limited.

Popovich described the comeback as a "team effort" and related to strong communication between the Auckland headquarters and local cellar team.

"[It's about] everyone wanting to achieve the same goal - keeping Moana Park alive and having fun community events that people in Napier, Taradale and the great Hawke's Bay region can come to enjoy."

She also attributed the success to strong support in the community and a loyal customer base, with online sales increasing and more visitors to the cellar door after lockdown restrictions eased.

Grant Humphrey (left) and Ross Burney bought Moana Park Estate in August 2019. Photo / File

She said the team were very excited to have secured rock legends Dragon to play on February 6, particularly as they had been scheduled to play before lockdown.

"It's been a long time coming.

"We will have the stage set up to the side of the vines. It's quite scenic and ambient."

There were still about 100 tickets for the performance left but she expected the show to be a sellout.

Popovich was also looking forward to other events coming up - a March 20 event with the headline act yet to be revealed, and the estate's Kai Moana event on April 3 to celebrate the end of harvest.

With a particular focus on wine and seafood, the event "combines everything together" and will tie in with Moana Park Estate's new labels released last October.

The team will sit down to plan their end of 2021 and 2022 events in the next week or so, she said.