Winegrowers in Marlborough are facing a tax to offset their local impact.
Marlborough District Council is considering a levy of $5 per hectare of grapes to cover environmental and other costs it says are being borne by the ratepayer.
New Zealand Winegrowers chairman Stuart Smith told Morning Report it will cost some vineyard owners thousands of dollars.
But Mayor Alistair Sowman says the proposal is going out for consultation and is not a fait accompli.
