The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

Ripe Food & Wine Festival cancelled due to Red Light restrictions

Organisers of Ripe, Wanaka’s leading food and wine festival, have been forced to cancel this year’s event due to the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Otago Event Planning Director, Nathan White, says they simply had no choice but to cancel this year’s event with the current red-light setting limiting events to 100 people.

“We had hoped that things may change in time, but the reality is that’s unlikely to happen and we wanted to give supporters as much notice as possible.

“We are obviously disappointed to be announcing this news and know that our wine and food community will share in our sentiment.”

The Ripe Wine and Food Festival, which was due to go ahead on March 19, 2022, at the spectacular Glendhu Bay Station, has been postponed until March 18th 2023.

Ticket holders for this year’s event will have their tickets automatically rolled over to next year and do not need to take any action.

Anyone unable to attend next year can gain a full refund (excluding ticket provider fees) by completing a form.

“As many of our supporters appreciate, running events in this crazy covid world is challenging,” says White.

“We hope our festival community will join us in getting excited about next year’s festival now that they have a ticket and a date to look forward to.”

White says he hopes to host a virtual wine event on March 19, 2022, the same day as the event was due to be held.

“Details will be announced soon, but this virtual event will give lovers of Central Otago wine a chance to connect, learn and taste Central Otago Wines with some of our best-known vintners and winemakers virtually.”

Did you know?

There are 6 ways you can catch up with The Shout NZ?

Our print magazine – February issue out now! Subscribe here.
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
Our digital magazines – the latest issues are online now.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!