Otago couple accuse their winery neighbours of intimidating waving

The couple say the waving is a form of harassment and causing them stress. Photo / 123RF

A Gibbston couple have accused their winery neighbours of harrassing them by "ridiculous" waving.

The couple, who moved next door to Mt Edward Winery in 2012, say the waving is a form of harassment and causing them stress.

The neighbours-at-war dispute between the winery and Ana Bajurin and Earl Matheson, played out at a District Licensing Committee hearing in Queenstown yesterday.

The couple objected to Wanaka Road Winery Ltd's application for a renewal of Mt Edward Winery's off-licence, primarily because of loud music played at the site.

Mt Edward general manager and winemaker Duncan Forsyth told the committee music was primarily played during the six-week harvest, around April and May.

Staff had been "instructed to be nothing but nice and wave at the Mathesons".

But Bajurin felt that was "a form of harassment", which began after they lodged their opposition.

"We don't initiate a wave. [We believe staff are] doing it on purpose to cause us stress over the situation and giving us the impression we are not able to look around our property.

"Staff are now waving in a ridiculous fashion while [we're] trying to go about our daily business."

The winery's website says it was established in 1997.