2025 Two Paddocks Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Fantastic wine, earthy and mineral scents lead to aromas of dark red berry fruits, a rugged landscape of dried herb and savoury voices, dark cherry and dried raspberry, wood smoke and some baking spices. A gentle reductive quality adds to the breadth and depth of this wine’s presentation. On the palate a dry wine full of texture and spice, mineral and red berry fruits. Taut and poised with chalky tannins and a backbone of acidity. Lengthy, polished and ready to drink from 2029 through 2037+.

96 points Cameron Douglas, August 2026

We sadly lost owner Sam Neill this year; he was one of the good buggers of the NZ wine industry, a considerate and learned soul who wore his fame lightly and championed Central Otago and its wines. He will be greatly missed. The Estate Pinot Noir is a barrel selection from four Central Otago vineyards: The Fusilier in Bannockburn, First Paddock in Gibbston, Last Chance and Red Bank in Alexandra. It's pure and detailed, with bright dark cherry, raspberry and redcurrant fruits cut with exotic spice, crushed rocks, wildflowers, wild thyme, leaf litter and charcuterie notes. Savoury, with a fine mineral crunch and a stony, composed finish. Drink to 2038.

93+ points Dave Brookesfor Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

The Two Paddocks estate Pinot Noir is an annual barrel selection of four certified organic vineyards in Central Otago: The Fusilier in Bannockburn, First Paddock in Gibbston, Last Chance and Red Bank in Alexandra. The sites are high-density planted in a range of clonal material, cropped to under five tonne per hectare and mostly hand-tended.

This is a red fruited Pinot with dried herb and spice aromatics dominate the nose. The palate is elegant and textural with persistent, harmonious fruit flavours.

More about this wine

The 2024 season started late after a wet and cool spring, with some frost damage sustained at the Fusilier and First Paddock sites. Flowering and fruit-set was optimal, and late summer weather saw perfect conditions for ripening.

About Two Paddocks

The late Sam Neill started Two Paddocks in 1993 with modest ambitions and two hectares of Pinot Noir in the Gibbston subregion of Central Otago. That vineyard has since been augmented by three other small vineyards in the subregions of Alexandra and Bannockburn, all farmed organically by a team led by viticulturist Mike Wing. The minimal intervention winemaking is in the hands of Dean Shaw, who is consulted by Larry McKenna of Martinborough Vineyards fame.