New Zealand's seven-piece dub, reggae, soul and RnB band Fat Freddy's Drop will headline this year's Classic Hits Winery Tour in Tauranga next March.

Anika Moa, Julia Deans (The Adults), Jon Toogood (The Adults), Toby Laing (FFD), Scott Towers (FFD), Hollie Smith, Boh Runga will headline the Winery Tour.

The Wellington-based band will be joined by Anika Boh and Hollie: Together in Concert and another collaboration of equally legendary kiwi musicians, The Adults, featuring Jon Toogood, Julia Deans and Shayne Carter.

Now in its seventh year, the 2013 Classic Hits Winery Tour presents 17 shows across 16 spectacular outdoor venues from Tutukaka in the North to Dunedin in the South.

It will be in Tauranga on Friday, March 1 at the Wharepai Domain.

Since emerging from the underground club scene of Wellington in 1999, Fat Freddy's Drop has carved a place in NZ music lore; the highest selling album ever by an independent artist (2005's Based On A True Story), a slew of RIANZ Tui Awards and legendary performances at internationally acclaimed festivals including Glastonbury, SONAR, Bestival, WOMAD, Lowlands, DEMF and Roskilde.

With their third studio album, Blackbird, due for release in February 2013, Fat Freddy's Drop will be bringing something special and unforgettable to the Wineries in 2013. And keep an ear out for the first single off the forthcoming album, due for release in November.

Filling the middle music slot and fresh from their inaugural Tour as Anika Boh & Hollie, the girls have shown that as formidable as they are individually, together in concert they are they are quite simply a musical force.

The threesome is set to enchant audiences with their incredible harmony singing and wicked banter.

Expect a raft of well known hits from Anika Moa, Boh Runga and Hollie Smith, who will again perform together – singing their own and each other's hits, as well as new material from their forthcoming debut album, also to be released in February 2013.

Completing the three-band line are The Adults with Shihad's Jon Toogood at the helm, joined by Fur Patrol's Julia Deans and Dimmer's Shayne Carter. The Adults' eponymous debut album has just received two finalist nods at this year's RIANZ New Zealand Music Awards and their powerful live performances will kick off the shows in some style.

Chris Faiumu aka DJ Fitchie says he and fellow Freddys can't wait to hit the road in February.

"We can't wait for the Winery Tour. Freddys will be celebrating the release of our new album ‘Blackbird' and I'm sure the audiences will enjoy the energy in our performances.

'The venues that we are playing are an amazing environment to hear our music. And this year's line up is fantastic – edgy and dynamic. It's a great way to kick off the year."

Boh Runga says she, Anika and Hollie couldn't be happier to be getting back on the road together after the fun they have just had on the Church Tour.

'We are all a bit more comfortable in wineries so these shows can only get bigger & better. We are very excited & with a line up like this, how could you go wrong.”

Co-promoter Campbell Smith is looking forward to next year's tour and promises concert-goers an unforgettable experience.

'Who cares that it's not a winery? It's just a fantastic venue, so we bring the wine in! This will be our fifth year at the Wharepai Domain in the mighty Bay with the Winery Tour.

'Right in the heart of Tauranga, it's always a highlight each year. We are thrilled, as always, to bring the Classic Hits Winery Tour 2013 to town.”

This year a special Winery Tour commemorative album, celebrating seven years and 100 Winery Tour shows, will be released on Friday 2 November.

Music From The Winery Tour 2007 – 2013 is a compilation album featuring one track from each artist from each of the Winery Tours, past and present. The album will also include some great memorabilia, including a history of the event, photos and quotes from all the artists.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, November 5 with an Early Bird offer of $65 plus booking fee for the month of November, increasing to $75 plus booking fee from 01 December and can be purchased via the Winery Tour website www.winerytour.co.nz and Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

One child under the age of 12 will be given free admittance when accompanied by one adult ticket holder.

Dates:

Saturday 2 February Matakana Ascension Wine Estate

Sunday 3 February Tutukaka Tutukaka, Marina Reserve

Tuesday 5 February Gisborne Brunton Road

Wednesday 6 February Napier Church Road ++WAITANGI DAY++

Friday 8 February Havelock North Black Barn Vineyards

Saturday 9 February Martinborough Alana Estate

Sunday 10 February Mangatainoka Tui Brewery

Tuesday 12 February New Plymouth Sentry Hill Estate

Saturday 16 February Waipara The Mud House Winery & Café

Sunday 17 February Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium

Tuesday 19 February Gibbston Waitiri Creek

Friday 22 February Upper Moutere Neudorf Vineyards

Saturday 23 February Upper Moutere Neudorf Vineyards

Sunday 24 February Blenheim Villa Maria Winery

Friday 1 March Tauranga Wharepai Domain

Saturday 2 March Auckland Villa Maria Winery

Sunday 3 March Hamilton Mystery Creek