KEY POINTS:
Self-described artisan winegrower Nick Mills went the colour of one his award-winning vintages at a resource consent hearing yesterday when his own expert witness labelled the existing winemaking building at Rippon Vineyard a "peasant facility, which by rights, should produce peasant wine".
Rippon Vineyard and Winery, beside Lake Wanaka, is one of the pioneers of Central Otago's wine industry, winning world-wide acclaim for its wines and dedication to biodynamic viticulture.
It produces between 3000 and 6000 cases a year of organically grown wine, predominantly pinot noir, made in a converted goat shed.
The Mills family wants to build a wine-making and wine-tasting complex on the brow of a hill in the centre of the vineyard operation, and a utility and workers' accommodation shed, to provide for the future sustainability of its fourth-generation farming activities.
Mr Mills told independent commissioners David Collins and Christine Kelly, both of Queenstown, virtually all of the winery's income was generated by the highly labour intensive 15ha vineyard, at the first day of a hearing in Wanaka, yesterday.
A report from former Lakes Environmental and council planner Tim Walsh has recommended to the commissioners the proposed winery complex be granted resource consent. The proposal is opposed by some of Rippon's neighbours and the Upper Clutha Environmental Society because of where it is located and the potential landscape effects.
Rippon's planning expert witness James Lunday, who is also the architect who designed the three proposed buildings, said the goat shed and winemaking facilities were detrimental to the vineyard's operations.
"There is no reason in planning law why this development should not proceed. To locate these buildings elsewhere on the farm would undermine the integrity of the land management system."
Mr Lunday was adamant that views are not protected under planning law and the question was one of the impact of a structure on the environment.
The proposed complex will be made of rammed earth, cut from the hill, and would be "of the landscape" rather than impacting on the landscape. While prominent, the buildings would be dominated by the background of Mt Alpha, Mr Lunday said.
The proposed complex is located within a designated Rural General zone.
Counsel for Rippon, Phil Page, of Dunedin, said a vineyard was a permitted rural activity. Buildings associated with rural production were within the scope of the District Plan and an appropriate element in the rural landscape.
The hearing concludes today. Opposing submitters are scheduled to be heard from 9am at Oakridge Resort, in Wanaka.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
