Organisers of the inaugural Ripe wine and food festival have announced two exclusive events to raise money for the Community Networks foodbank in Wanaka.

The collaborative ‘Summer Series’ events in January will celebrate some of Wanaka’s wine and food industry players with a long lunch at Hook and a four-course dinner at Lipsky & Sons.  

Both events will offer raffles and auctions for bottles of wine and meal vouchers, and all profits from ticket sales will be donated to the Community Networks foodbank.

The first Ripe Summer Series event will be a long lunch in the sun on January 15 at Hook’s award-winning salmon farm and cafe in Albert Town, complemented by a range of Maude wines with knowledgeable wine experts on hand to discuss wine and food matching.

The second Ripe Summer Series event is an evening experience at Lipsky & Sons, off Cardrona Valley Road, a week later. A four-course dinner will be paired with Cloudy Bay wines from the winery’s Central Otago and Marlborough vineyards. 

Otago Event Planning and Ripe owner Nathan White says the two events are designed to pay tribute to some of the top culinary talents of the region while raising money for an essential not-for-profit organisation.

“Wanaka is incredibly fortunate to have some first-class restaurants and wineries and we are looking forward to exhibiting some of our favourites, as well as raising money for an organisation that contributes so much to our community,” Nathan said. 

“These small and intimate events are ideal opportunities to get together with friends over the summer holidays and experience our pick of local cuisine and wine, while also doing some good,” he said.

Community Networks manager and foodbank coordinator Kate Murray said the organisation is delighted to be the beneficiary of the fundraising initiative.

Community Networks manager and foodbank coordinator Kate Murray (right) and Community Networks front office coordinator Nova Knippers at Wanaka’s foodbank. PHOTO: Supplied

“The Wanaka Foodbank is an important resource for our community and we are grateful to receive the support, particularly after a trying year for some local families,” Kate said.

“The funds raised from this initiative will go straight to helping the people of Wanaka. The foodbank is a confidential service that's available to anyone and everyone – our shelves are always stocked and there’s always someone available to lend a hand or offer a listening ear,” she said.

The lunch on Friday, January 15 at Hook runs from midday until 2:30pm and tickets are $100 per person, and the dinner on Saturday January 23 at Lipsky & Sons begins at 7:00pm at the cost of $120 per person. 

Tickets to Ripe Summer Series: Hook and Maude and Ripe Summer Series: Lipsky & Sons and Cloudy Bay can be purchased here.

There are also tickets still available for the Ripe food and wine festival at the Corbridge Woolshed, near Wanaka Airport, on Sunday, March 21 on the same link.