Amendments cause for cellar door celebrations

An amendment bill passed by the Government promises to open more revenue streams for wineries by simplifying licensing laws and standardising host responsibilities.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill standardises wine samples at 35mm, allows cellar doors to charge for sampling and occupy licensed off-vineyard cellar door sites, and mandates snack food and water to be available.

For Olivia Doonan of Tūpari Wines, the law changes around sampling and licensing will be a “total gamechanger”.

“Under former laws, our cellar door in Seddon didn’t meet the requirements, meaning we haven’t been able to properly benefit from Marlborough Flyer trips, cruise ship passengers and tour buses coming through town”, says Olivia.

“There’s been days where we give away many bottles of free samples and sell very little, which doesn’t add up for a small producer – many days, our cellar door has been a business expense.

“Being able to charge for samples and require food on site makes our business model more sustainable and makes the industry more responsible for our guests”.

Olivia hopes that with the clarification of cellar door licensing and sample laws, it will result in a more exciting Marlborough wine and food scene – especially in her home region of South Marlborough.

“For smaller and more rural wineries like us, it also means facilities like ours at The Station make our wines more accessible to the wine tour and tourist trail and develop our own food and wine experiences.

“While there’s 20 wineries in our South Marlborough Wines organization, there’s only two cellar doors – so we hope that clarification will allow the region’s smaller winemakers to thrive.”

Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens says many other businesses like Tupari are delighted by the changes.

“This change opens up a lot of opportunities and puts one less barrier in the way of making a successful cellar door business.

It is great timing for this excellent piece of legislation to be implemented, just in time for the spring and summer season.

“This is a great win and enables cellar doors to get on and do what they do well; telling the stories of their brands and our region and supporting regional tourism”.

Both Marlborough MPs were part of the process of passing the amendment, with Stuart Smith writing the amendment bill and Jamie Arbuckle as deputy chair of the Justice committee, where the Bill was heard.

“These changes will make a difference to the economic growth and development of New Zealand’s regions, and it is a welcome addition to the rural economy” says Kaikoura MP and bill proposer Stuart Smith.

“This Bill lets wineries concentrate on what they do best—creating world-class wines and memorable experiences for visitors," Mr. Smith adds.

“By cutting red tape, supporting responsible drinking, and boosting our wine industry, we are making sure our beautiful wine regions continue to thrive and attract visitors from around the world.”

“Our Government is committed to fostering an environment where small businesses can thrive, and I am proud that my Members Bill will support hard-working New Zealanders.”

MP Jamie Arbuckle, who was Deputy Chair of the Justice committee which passed the amendments, says he is “Very pleased for Stuart the Bill has been passed and personally it’s been good to be involved.”

“Timing of the Bill being passed will also be beneficial to Cellar door operators leading into the spring and summer season.”

www.tupari.co.nz