A dilapidated, graffiti covered building in Sutherland was hailed as "a wine connoisseur's paradise" when it opened in 1971 as the shire's first drive-in bottle shop.
The building, at the corner of Flora Street and Auburn Street, is likely to be demolished soon following approval of a four-storey boarding house - two storeys lower than originally proposed.
The drive-in bottle shop was built by Eddie Stapleton, the licensee of Boyles Hotel and grandson of the hotel's founder Ted Boyle, who took over the premises in 1901.
Eddie Stapleton, an outstanding rugby union winger, who played for St George and represented Australia in the late 1950s, spent $60,000 constructing the "impressive brick and timber building" on a corner site, previously occupied by an old liquor store.
"It is called Sutherland Shire Wine Cellars and lives up to its title by being a wine connoisseur's paradise," the Leader reported on November 3, 1971.
"In the past, Sutherland Shire residents could select only from stocks maintained by hotels in the district.
"These, of course, were limited to popular lines which excluded any favoured by an increasing population of connoisseurs .
The report said the interior reflected "Eddie's liking for old English flavoured decor".
"Wines and spirits are stored in open shelves while one wall is entirely given to displays housed in stained oak cul-de-sac or pantry recesses.
"Eddie, during his days of international rugby union representation for Australia, visited several 'pubs' and taverns while on tour in England.
"His imagination was captivated by the cosy, warm atmosphere that English pubs possessed..."
"Featured on the walls of the main display room at the new drive-in are many sand-blasted motifs commemorating captain Cook's discovery of Australia and landing at Kurnell.
"Busts of Cook and Joseph Banks dominate a wall, while maps and flora are depicted on sheets of wide-grained and highly polished timber.
"Of course, the magnificent stone cellar is the showpiece of the entire building.
"Customers descend stairs from the large display area to a deep room of astonishing size.
"The walls have been built from tracite, an amazingly hard form of granite hewn in Germany and used as ballast for clippers sailing from Europe at the turn of the century.
"The angular grey blocks are set in pure white mortar...
"Tons of German rock were used as floor stones at the olf Flemington sales yards, from where he purchased them.
"But the end effect is quite astounding - the room glows with a deep grey hue, blending perfectly with the rows and rows of bottles stacked inn crates and awaiting selection.
"Customers are able to sample their favourite Australian wines at a fashionable, carpeted bar built in the wall facing the stairway."
"Licensing laws forbid the sampling of imported wines. However, the cellar manager, Jim English, will be able to give expert advice on on any worries customers may have when selecting a suitable wine.
"In the near future, Eddie hopes to install and international beer counter, where practically every brand of beer at present on the world market will be available."
In later years, the establishment was leased to Porters Liquor and sold in 2016 after the area was rezoned for high-rise.