1940-1960

The commercial and political attitudes prevailing in New Zealand in the post war era were remarkably restrictive and discouraging for the local wine industry but change was on the way. In 1948 the Government created wine-resellers licenses in an effort to assist local winemakers. Josef was quick to see the potential and applied and was granted one of the first two licenses issued in Auckland for the green grocery that he had opened the previous year at the corner of Jervois Road and Blake Street. The license however was very restrictive; retailers were only permitted sell New Zealand wine, they had to stock 12 wines besides their own and were not permitted to sell less than two gallons to a customer the equivalent of twelve 750 ml bottles.

During this period the New Zealand wine industry was dominated by sherry, port and any number of other fancifully named concoctions. Table wine was very much in the minority although as Jak recalls his grandfather made light red wine for the family table.