Organisers of the Ripe Food and Wine Festival have cancelled this year’s event due to the Covid-19 red light restrictions.

The event was scheduled for March 19 at Glendhu Bay Station.

“We simply had no choice but to cancel this year’s event with the current red light setting limiting events to 100 people,” Otago Event Planning director Nathan White said.

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

Nathan said 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 simple form.

“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,” he said.

Nathan hopes to host a virtual wine event on March 19, 2022, the same day as the event was due to be held with details to be announced.

Next year’s festival will take place on March 18, 2023.

PHOTO: Andy Woods