Kamloops wineries are still reeling after a decision made by the city’s elected officials during Tuesday’s regular council meeting.

Councillors voted against a variance in a bylaw that would allow Save-On-Foods in Sahali to stock B.C. VQA wines on their shelves.

Trish Morelli, executive director of the Kamloops Wineries Association, says she feels disappointed and embarrassed by the decision made by council on Tuesday.

“We feel that council made the wrong decision,” said Morelli. “We thought that some of the city councillors bought into the emotional fear mongering.

“We just don’t think it’s the place of council to deny what is now a very modern, safe and acceptable method of selling wine.”

After purchasing Discover Wines, Save-On-Foods acquired a Special Wine Store (SWS) license that would allow B.C. VQA wines to be sold in their stores. However, because of the city bylaw, the store is not able to sell wine within one kilometre of any existing license holders.

The grocery store is located in the same parking lot as the B.C. Liquor Store and across the street from Fox’n Hounds Pub.

“Other retailers in Kamloops sell B.C. VQA wine, but they can’t possibly give us the shelf space and the attention, and tell the stories and promote us 100 per cent as a B.C. VQA wine store could,” said Morelli. “Harvest Trails has 13 listings. I ask anyone to go out to the private liquor stores to see if they can find all 13 listings. They just don’t have the shelf space or the budget.”

Morelli says local wineries are unsure as to what the next steps are, but hopes council will be able to overturn their decision.

“I hope that the city will come around. I honestly believe that this was a wrong decision made by council and I hope that there is a process so council can reconsider the decision,” she said. “To deny it to protect one or two businesses is just not right.”

Council voted 5-2 against the motion that would allow the grocery store to sell wine.

Mayor Peter Milobar and Councillor Arjun Singh did not vote on the matter due to a possible conflict of interest.