Two Paddocks Pinot Noir

The flagship release from actor-proprietor Sam Neill’s organically farmed estate, the 2023 Two Paddocks Pinot Noir is a precise, dark-fruited and textural wine that captures the beauty and structure of Central Otago Pinot at its most complete. Crafted by winemaker Dean Shaw from four organically certified vineyards—The Fusilier (Bannockburn), The First Paddock (Gibbston), Last Chance and Red Bank (Alexandra)—this bottling represents a true cross-regional expression of Otago’s dramatic landscapes.

The 2023 vintage followed a wet winter and cool spring, progressing into a warm early summer before tapering off into a long, cool ripening period—ideal for developing complexity and retaining acidity. Hand-harvested fruit was 50% destemmed and cold-soaked for 5–7 days before fermenting with indigenous yeasts. A further 5–7 days on skins followed, before transfer to French oak barriques (18% new) for 11 months of maturation. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and vegan friendly.

The nose opens with dark cherry, ripe berry fruit and wild thyme, supported by smoky spice and earthy complexity. On the palate, the wine offers impressive weight and texture—layered with plush red and black fruits, fine tannins and integrated acidity. Elegant and cellar-worthy, yet delicious now with food.

Small-Batch Detail

• Region: Central Otago (Bannockburn, Gibbston, Alexandra)

• Vineyards: The Fusilier, First Paddock, Last Chance, Red Bank

• Farming: Certified Organic | Vegan Friendly

• Fermentation: 50% destemmed, cold maceration, wild yeast

• Skin Contact: 5–7 days pre-ferment, 5–7 days post-ferment

• Oak: 11 months in French barriques (18% new)

• Bottled: March 2023 | Unfined, unfiltered

• Alcohol: 13.0%  | TA: 6.0 g/L

• Production: 2000 cases

• Cellaring: 2024–2036

FinePinot Note
An elegant and expressive Pinot from the heart of Central Otago—thoughtful, savoury and organically grown. This is a flagship wine with both charisma and structure. Pair it with wild mushroom risotto, roast lamb, or beetroot and feta tart.

Two Paddocks

(Image source from Two Paddocks Wines)

Two Paddocks is the passion project of actor Sam Neill, his family and friends.They are a very very small company,but making world class wine year on year.They planted their first vineyard at Gibbson Valley, Central Otago in 1993 and have their fist vintage in 1997.Their ambiton has been change from making great wines for friends and family to making world's best Pinot Noir from.

Central Otago, New Zealand

(Image source from Misha's vineyard, Central Otago)

Central Otago has quickly established itself as ground zero for Pinot Noir in New Zealand-in the words of Jancis Robinson, "many believe this is where the Pinot grail is to be found".