International edition of Hot Dub Wine Machine festival cancelled as local council backflips on site agreement

Machine Du Vin – the international debut of Aussie festival Hot Dub Wine Machine – has been cancelled after the local council of Camon, France, backflipped on their site agreement.

The brainchild of Aussie DJ Hot Dub Time Machine, aka Sydney’s Tom Loud, the French instalment was announced in May this year and advertised three days of music, wine, food and art in a medieval chateau in rural Southern France.

However, the local council appears to be behind the cancellation, with an email sent to ticket buyers explaining: “In recent days, the local authorities have rescinded their permission to use of the full site within Camon.

“Without this permission, the event is unable to proceed. Despite our sincerest efforts, we have been unable to find in time an alternate site that would provide the same experience.”

“With much sadness the event has been cancelled. Ticket holders have been informed and have received full refunds,” confirmed the local promoter/producer of the event, Rich Web.

The website has since been shut down, with visitors directed to an info email.

Machine Du Vin was set to be an extension of the successful Hot Dub Wine Machine events on home soil which have attracted almost 100,000 patrons over two seasons, most recently hitting the vineyards of Swan Valley in WA, Huon Valley in Tasmania and Pialligo Estate in Canberra earlier this year.

The lineup included Bonobo, What So Not, Booka Shade, Tourist, Claptone, Young Franco, and Hot Dub himself, among others.  

Set in the ancient Chateau de Camon in rural Southern France during the Northern Summer, the event was positioned to draw visitors from both Europe and Australia this weekend, August 31 – September 2.

“Me and my partner have decided not to travel. My flights [from London] and one night at a hotel were non-refundable,” would-be punter, Daniel Chapman told TMN.

Organisers’ message to patrons advised that all ticket holders would receive full refunds from their ticketing provider iwannaticket, and they have confirmed to TMN that all ticketholders have since received refunds. 

“We know this will be an enormous inconvenience to each of you as travel and accommodation plans have been made.

“We apologise unreservedly.

“Our dream was to create something beautiful and unique, a boutique weekend getaway to a special part of the world and it breaks our hearts that we are unable to provide this to you.”

Camon council have been contacted for comment.