Organisers have secured one of the biggest names in the wine industry to appear as a special guest at Wanaka’s newest wine and food festival, Ripe.

Cameron Douglas, an experienced wine writer, commentator, judge and reviewer, will host a presentation at the inaugural festival, which takes place at Corbridge Estate on March 21 next year.

Cameron is New Zealand’s first and only ‘master sommelier’ and is in a group of fewer than 300 people in the world to hold the credential.

“It’s an absolute coup to be able to have Cameron join us at Wanaka’s first wine and food festival,” Ripe director Nathan White said. 

“Cameron will be engaging the audience with a fun but educational session on wine tasting before joining the guests tasting a selection of wines he has curated from the festival vendors.”

Festival-goers will be able to sample and enjoy wines from some of the best vineyards in the region including Cloudy Bay, Quartz Reef, Nanny Goat, Burn Cottage, Valli, Domaine Thomson, Black Peak, Aitkens Folly, Mount Michael, Aurum, Coal Pit and Paddons Paddock as well as beers from the Wanaka brewer Rhyme & Reason, plus spirits from Rifters and Cardrona Distillery.

Showcasing the region’s food scene, Lipsky & Sons, Hawker & Roll, Big Fig, Wild Az, Fox & Badger, and Swig organic kombucha have also signed up.

The regional producers join a selection of previously announced partners.

Cameron also joins celebrity chef Nadia Lim and the Jordan Luck Band as part of the festival’s entertainment.

Nathan said an event celebrating the taste of Central Otago has long been wanted for the area and he’s delighted with the support of the producers and the reaction of the public.

“Setting up Ripe was always about celebrating the passion and energy we have in the unique Central Otago region for the best wine and food. We are thrilled to be able to showcase so many wonderful producers, their connection to the land, their knowledge and passion for the product. 

Tickets are in hot demand for the event, which falls on Otago Anniversary weekend, organisers said. All earlybird and VIP tickets have sold out already.

“To have such a surge of interest from the public so quickly is exciting – we are going to put on an amazing event,” Nathan said.

Tickets are $56 and can be bought online here.

PHOTO: Andy Woods Photography