A Dunedin businessman has failed in his bid to get permission to sell wine from a converted VW Kombi.
In April, Richard Nelson appeared before the Queenstown Lakes district licensing committee seeking, among other things, a caterer's endorsement to allow him to provide wine tastings from the refurbished vehicle he calls "Amy Winedub''.
Mr Nelson is the founder and owner of The Winery New Zealand Ltd, in Queenstown. He converted the VW camper to dispense up to 46 wines using an automated tasting system. He told the committee in April he wanted to use it as part of wider events, where food would be provided by other parties - for example, at conferences, where he would provide wine tasting while caterers would provide canapes before a dinner.
In his decision, Judge Bill Unwin said one of the problems associated with the application was "Amy Winedub'' had not been used at an event and no application had been filed for a special licence.
"It is therefore difficult to gauge how popular or successful the enterprise will be and how a tourist attraction can supplement or enhance another company's own enterprise.''
Judge Unwin said the Medical Officer of Health and the police withdrew their opposition following an agreement from the company not to operate independently.
He said the company would "not be providing drink in the current socially acceptable way. It is providing 'a tasting experience'.''
Judge Unwin said if the endorsement had been granted the committee would be inviting other entrepreneurs to take advantage of an opportunity to avoid obtaining special licences, something it was "not prepared to do''.
While the application for a caterer's endorsement was declined, the committee granted a renewal of its on-licence for three years, with increased trading hours inside the premises, from 9am to 1am daily.
