An Instagram post notes that Ricco Bambino will close its doors on September 4, 2022. A year after taking a stand and refusing to enforce BC’s vaccine passport, a Kelowna urban winery is going out of business. In an Instagram post, the owner of Ricco Bambino says he has decided to close the facility for good, and September 4th is the last day the winery and bar will be open to the public. The property at 101-1630 Pandosy Street is listed for sale for $949,900, including all fixtures. The Instagram post goes on to thank everyone who has supported the business over the past four years and asks patrons to continue to support Ricco Bambino by purchasing wine online. In August 2021, owner Jason Alton told Castanet that he would refuse to comply with government orders to enforce the vaccine passport. “I won’t ask my staff, I can’t put them in danger. I cannot be a part of anything that is going to cause further division in our community, further separation, further discrimination. We’re not going to do that. We are not going to impose. I absolutely refuse to do that,” Alton said. A post on the Ricco Bambini website states: “WE ARE NOT AND WILL NOT BE FORCED TO DISCRIMINATE! everyone is welcome at RICCO BAMBINO.”
