Discover Otago's Premier Wine and Food Event - Ripe

Central Otago’s premier Wine and Food event, Ripe - The Wānaka Wine and Food Festival returns to the shores of Lake Wānaka on Saturday March 18, 2023.

Event organiser Nathan White chose this date to make the most of the beautifully settled weather in Wānaka at that time of year. “Not only is it one of Wānaka's best weather months, it is also Otago Anniversary Weekend so what more excuse do you need?!”

The event will be held at Glendhu Station, located within a 10 minute drive of Wānaka township and a stone’s throw away from one of New Zealand’s most beautiful campgrounds, Glendhu Bay Motor Camp. 

Attendees will get to enjoy the exceptional panoramic lake and mountain views of the majestic bay area while enjoying some premium wine and food supplied by Central Otago’s best producers

Some of NZ’s premium wineries will be pouring wines including Akarua, Amisfield, Cloudy Bay, Gibbston Valley, Misha’s Vineyard, Maude Wines, Valli and the list goes on. Pair these outstanding wines with some stunning food by local favourites like Hook, The Platter Share, Old Mates Smokehouse and more.

There will be live music to keep the crowd going and some very special guests in the Quartz Reef Masterclass Marquee including Joelle Thomson, Bob Campbell MW and a cooking demonstration by Christchurch based best selling authors, Two Raw Sisters.

Tickets are selling well and are now into the final release allocation. “The Maude Wine Lounge is now sold out, some of our masterclasses have sold out too so the time to buy is now to avoid disappointment” says White.

By all accounts this festival will more than make up from the disappointment of having the 2022 event postponed due to covid restrictions.

Nathan continues “we are striving to be known as one of the premium events of this type in the country and we are confident we are heading down the path to success, our new event site coupled with such amazing vendors equals one event not to be missed!”

Buses will be running from Wānaka town centre so look out for the transport link on Ripe’s website or of course you could just stay across the road at the Glendhu Bay Campground.

Head to ripewanaka.nz for more details on the event.

Instagram: @ripe_wanaka
Facebook: @ripewanaka