A shiny metallic Airstream caravan could become the base for a ''pop-up'' wine-tasting facility by Sam Neill's Two Paddocks winery next to his Felton Rd vineyard.
Two Paddocks has applied to the Central Otago District Council for resource consent to operate a retail activity from that site and the matter will be considered at a hearings panel meeting next week.
The wine-tasting facility and separate food stall would operate for 10-14 days from January 5 onwards, the application said.
It would be located at the ''Walnut Paddock'' at the end of Felton Rd, Bannockburn, ''where customers could enjoy the ambience of the surroundings and 'picnic' under the walnut trees enjoying a glass of fine Central Otago wine and excellent food''.
Two Paddocks was an established premium pinot noir and riesling producer with four vineyards in all three of the major Central Otago wine sub-areas.
The neighbours in Felton Rd included Terra Sancta, Felton Rd, Akarua and Mt Difficulty and they supported the venture, the application said.
The site was chosen, instead of the vineyard, to minimise disturbance to other vineyards which used a shared right of way, the application said.
Vineyards and wineries along Felton Rd already attracted visitors so the applicant did not expect to increase traffic on Felton Rd but would offer another venue for current visitors to use.
The reflectivity of the 9.5m-long, 2.3m-wide and 2.55m-high caravan would have no visual impact on neighbouring properties as the caravan would be hidden by groves of trees.
Two Paddocks planned to operate wine-tasting from 11am-4pm.
It expected 10-15 car movements daily and there was room on site for more than 30 parked cars.
Mr Whitney believed granting consent would not establish a significant precedent, and recommend it be approved, subject to 10 conditions.
