Hopes of law change for cellar door tastings

A law change that will help to streamline the process required for wineries to sell samples at the cellar door was drawn from the Members’ Bill Ballot in late September.   

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Billl was proposed by MP for Kaikōura and National’s Viticulture spokesperson Stuart Smith. Smith’s electorate encompasses New Zealand’s biggest wine region of Marlborough. 

“[The Bill] will plug an important gap in the old legislation so that winery cellar doors can now charge visitors for wine samples without having to secure a separate on-licence and all the costs associated with that,” says Smith. “While this may be a small change, it will make a big difference to New Zealand’s wineries.”

Under the current Act, those with an off-licence cannot charge for tasting samples, while those with an on-licence can charge, but must have a “reasonable range of food” available for sale and consumption on the premises.

“New Zealand’s $2.5 billion wine industry has grown remarkably over the past 20 years, particularly the cellar door tourism experiences,” says Smith. “By tiding up the legislation and allowing wineries to charge for samples without obtaining an on-licence, it will encourage more cellar doors to open for the enjoyment of tourists and those wanting to taste New Zealand wines – a big boost for our small wineries in particular.”

New Zealand Winegrowers has welcomed the drawing of the Bill, saying that winery cellar doors are an important part of wine tourism, but are being held back.

“The current legislation is out of date,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. “It either forces wineries to give wine away for free, or forces them to go through significant cost and time to acquire and maintain a separate on-licence.”

“We are hopeful that through the parliamentary process we can get modern, fit-for-purpose legislation that will support wine tourism in the winemaking regions throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.”

He says it will make a big difference to the more than 600 small wineries in New Zealand, in particular. “Winery cellar doors have been hit hard by the collapse in international tourist numbers over the past two years. This regulatory change would ensure that they can provide exemplary winery cellar door services to both domestic and international tourists, without the unnecessary extra red-tape.”

“Additionally, by allowing charging for tastings, the industry sees this as consistent with the low-risk winery cellar door licensing status and supporting responsible consumption,” says Gregan.