Wine Machine Organisers Respond After Punters Slam 'Ridiculous' NSW Event

Organisers of the Wine Machine festival have responded after punters took to social media to slam the Hunter Valley leg this past weekend, which was called off mid-event due to a storm. 

As The Herald reports, headliner and co-founder Hot Dub Time Machine's set was called off on Saturday due to the weather, while some also vented their frustration at long bar lines, lack of shelter from the rain and poor sound quality. 

One person wrote on Facebook that the sold out Roche Estate festival was "the worst event I've been to by far", while another slammed the "ridiculous bar queues with hopeless staff".

Update: Hot Dub Time Machine Announces Free Gigs After Controversial Wine Machine Festival

Taking to Facebook on Sunday night, Wine Machine organisers addressed the complaints. 

"As those in attendance well know, the Hunter Valley last night experienced an extreme weather system that included torrential rain and a high multitude of lightning strikes within close proximity causing an initial show stop and eventual evacuation of the event," the statement reads.

"This sucked for every single person on site! The safety of all patrons, artists, and staff is of absolute priority. Evacuations of this nature are never pleasant."

It continues, "We must also address bar lines earlier in the day. Due to the current climate in NSW, severe licensing conditions were placed upon the event limiting drinks to two per person causing unacceptable congestion at the bars. Adding to this were staffing issues from our external bar operators Prime Collective who’ve issued the following statement:

'Whilst licensing restrictions played a significant role in bar congestion at the Wine Machine NSW event, we must unreservedly apologise for our role in this and take full responsibility. Two of our staffing mini-buses carrying 32 staff were reportedly involved in an incident whilst en route from Sydney resulting in bars being under staffed.'

"We are currently investigating the circumstances of this and following up on the conditions of those staff involved."

Organisers confirmed Hot Dub Time Machine will announce a "complimentary make-up show" in the coming days. 

The Music has contacted organisers for further comment.