Two Paddocks is a wine producer based in Central Otago, New Zealand.[1] It is owned and operated by actor Sam Neill.

Two Paddocks
LocationGibbston, New Zealand
Coordinates45°13′11″S 169°18′10″E / 45.2198°S 169.3027°E / -45.2198; 169.3027
Wine regionCentral Otago
Other labelsPicnic
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Key peopleSam Neill
Known forProprietor's Reserve Pinot Noir
VarietalsPinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Other productsLavender oil
TastingClub member events only
Websitewww.twopaddocks.com

History

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In 1993, actor Sam Neill established the Two Paddocks company with a planting of 5 acres (2.0 ha) of Pinot Noir on a small vineyard at Gibbston, Central Otago.[1][2][3]

Alex Paddocks is a 7-acre (2.8 ha) vineyard on a terrace above the Earnscleugh Valley under some rocky headlands. It was planted with Burgundian Pinot Noir vines (5, 6, 115) in 1998.[citation needed]

In 2000, the company acquired Redbank Paddocks, a sheltered 60 acres (24 ha), also in the Earnscleugh Valley, which nestles between two rocky escarpments. It is planted with more Burgundian clones (777, 667, and 115) and some Riesling.[citation needed]

In 2001, Two Paddocks acquired an interest in another winery, The Central Otago Wine Company, with an approximate production of 3,000 cases of wine a year.[4]

The original vineyard, First Paddock, was augmented[when?] by two other small vineyards[which?] in the Alexandra district. After incorporating a second vineyard established by neighbouring film director Roger Donaldson, Neill changed to the current name.[5] Donaldson eventually built another vineyard, Sleeping Dogs, named after the 1977 film, which had marked his directorial debut and Neill's first feature film.[6]

"The Last Chance" Pinot Noir is a single vineyard bottling from the Alex Paddocks plot, its first vintage in 2002. The company also produces the second label Picnic, largely with sourced fruit, with bottlings of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling varietals. Two Paddocks also grows medicinal and culinary herbs, such as lavender oil and saffron.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hume, Marion (13 September 2007). "New Zealand's Great Performer". TIME. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  2. ^ Barkham, Patrick (15 April 2002). "Les vins de Sam". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  3. ^ Brown, Corie (20 March 2008). "Sam Neill's New Zealand vineyard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  4. ^ "New Zealand Actor Sam Neill Peddles Wine". Washington Post. Associated Press. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  5. ^ Barton, Warren (4 February 2014). "Sam Neill spreads his pinot wings". Stuff. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  6. ^ Gaffney, William. "Sleeping Dogs". PinotFile. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
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45°13′11″S 169°18′10″E / 45.2198°S 169.3027°E / -45.2198; 169.3027