Two Paddocks is a small family wine producing business that is entirely dedicated to making great wine.
We started in 1993 with modest ambitions and first planted five acres of Pinot Noir at our original little vineyard at Gibbston, Central Otago in the deep south of New Zealand. At the same time, our friend Roger Donaldson planted the land next door, hence the name Two Paddocks. (Roger has his own brand now, and we are left with the title.)
I wanted to produce a good Pinot Noir that would, at the very least, be enjoyed by my family and friends.
Frankly, my friends will pretty much drink anything, so this didn't seem too hard.
To our great surprise, our first vintage in 1997 was much better than we hoped, in spite of a difficult growing season. 1998 was a more distinguished vintage, and in 1999 we were astounded to produce a Pinot that was, we thought, world class. Here was a wine of considerable complexity with an amazing nose, delicious fruit and a good lengthy finish.
Since that time with each successive vintage, we have produced a Pinot Noir that has done us proud and is, to be frank, too good to be wasted on our friends.
They still somehow manage to bludge a lot off us, and that, combined with the proprietor's generous thirst, accounts for the occasional scarcity of Two Paddocks Pinot. - Sam Neill |
