Ripe, Wanaka’s Wine & Food Festival is inviting wine lovers from across Aotearoa to partake the country’s first virtual tasting of Central Otago wines.
After having to cancel the in-person Ripe festival due to Covid restrictions, the festival team has devised a tantalising lineup of wine tastings to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Pitched as an “afternoon made for wine lovers” the events will see seven of Central Otago’s finest wineries presenting their top drops, joined by sommelier Candice Chow from Raymond Chan Wine Reviews to walk audiences through the tasting journey.
Audiences will be able to sample drops and hear from the winemakers from Akarua, Gibbston Valley, Mount Michael, Maori Point, Maude, Misha’s Vineyard and Quartz Reef Wines.
“We’re hoping everyone’s still got the original festival date in their diary and will embrace the idea of going virtual by hosting their very own watch party with friends. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, sharing great Central Otago wine together,” says Ripe director, Nathan White.
“If you can’t come to Ripe, we’ll bring Ripe to you. We’re encouraging people to host their own mini wine festivals and there will be deals and giveaways throughout the event.”
Guests can purchase wines to be delivered to their homes before 14 March. From there, they’ll get a unique code to access the Ripe Virtual Tasting, which will take place on Saturday, 19 March from 2pm – 4:30pm.
See below for the full lineup:
2:00 – 2:05 Welcome and introduction to hosts
2:05 – 2:25 Akarua
2:25 – 2:45 Gibbston Valley
2:45 – 3:05 Maori Point
3:05 – 3:25 Maude
3:25 – 3:45 Misha’s Vineyard
3:45 – 4:05 Mount Michael
4:05 – 4:25 Quartz Reef
4:25 – 4:30 Cheers
Visit ripewineco.nz to purchase the wines and find more details.
