One of four off-mountain commercial water sellers on Tamborine Mountain appears to have struck a deal with Coca Cola which may have purchased its groundwater extraction rights.

But questions remain as to the nature of that deal, and answers are not yet forthcoming.

The Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery has a licence to supply bottling companies with water from the mountain’s aquifer – a perennially contentious issue in what is often referred to as Australia’s largest community without reticulated water.

The Guardian & Tribune understands that Cedar Creek has long supplied Coca-Cola Amatil, but received a tip that it had recently sold its licence to the soft drink giant.

Its managing director, John Penglis, received two phone calls seeking answers on the subject on Monday morning. He claimed to be in a board meeting but promised to call back and discuss the matter.

Several hours later a company director, Chris Kite, called instead.