Renowned Kiwi actor Sam Neill is selling his Gibbston vineyard as he looks to grow his acclaimed Two Paddocks winery.
Nestled in the heart of the celebrated Gibbston winegrowing district, The First Paddock is a certified organic vineyard in a rural Otago setting, 25 minutes from Queenstown.
The 8.33ha property includes 4.6ha of Pinot Noir vines, plus 3.2ha of additional land that could be planted or developed.
The vineyard was originally planted by the Neill family business in 1993, becoming the first in the Two Paddocks stable. It has consistently yielded very high-quality grapes, resulting in many award-winning wines.
Sam Neill, Founder and Proprietor of Two Paddocks, says he is reluctantly selling the original vineyard as the business embarks on a new chapter.
“Two Paddocks is expanding and diversifying, and rationalising some aspects of what we do,” says Neill.
“Our Gibbston vineyard has always proved a prestigious asset for the business, and produced many award winning-wines. It is just a little far from our core business near Alexandra and Bannockburn.
“This beautiful 8ha estate is long-established, the vines are mature (some are nearly 30 years old) and produces some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot. It also has immense lifestyle potential, situated close to Queenstown in the spectacular Gibbston Valley.”
Jacqui Murphy, General Manager of Two Paddocks, says the vineyard has played an integral role for the winery.
“Since 1997, The First Paddock has consistently produced some of the best fruit for Two Paddocks and the wine has gained international recognition from preeminent wine publications.
“The wines made from grapes grown at The First Paddock are among a mere handful of New Zealand wines to receive 95 Points in Wine Spectator.”
The vineyard currently has no grape supply contracts, with all fruit being used in-house.
Two Paddocks has appointed Colliers to sell The First Paddock on Gibbston Back Road, Gibbston, by way of deadline private treaty closing at 2pm on 17 November, unless it is sold prior.
