TWO PADDOCKS THE FIRST PADDOCK PINOT NOIR 2023

New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 'Sustainable Vineyard of the Year' 2024

"We grow our premium Two Paddocks Pinot Noir entirely on our four small vineyards in Central Otago. In some exceptional vintages, listening carefully, we realise that one of these sites may have something extraordinary to say in its own right. It is only then that we will make one of these very rare single vineyard wines." – Sam Neill, Proprietor

The First Paddock is the much loved original Two Paddocks vineyard. Planted in 1993, it is now one of the older blocks in Central Otago. Superbly situated in the midst of upper Gibbston, planted in carefully selected Burgundian clone pinot noir vines and meticulously tended. Soil foundations are derived from the surrounding mountainous schist and windblown loess, but higher rainfalls over the millennia have resulted in increased fertility in these blocks.

Forest floor, redcurrant and Asian spice aromatics give this wine a distinctive Gibbston Valley character. Smooth velvety tannins immerse the pallet with great elegance and poise.

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, August 2026 (2023 Vintage)
"A wonderful freshness and youth built around scents of red and black cherry flesh, dark raspberry and a deep earthy quality of stone and marl-top soils then a fine savoury and wood smoke complexities. Delicious on the palate with a satin touch then rush of fine tannins, acidity and pinosity of red fruits and and flowers, a fine lees quality and youthful power. Poised and taut, a wine to let develop in your cellar with best drinking from 2029 through 2035+."

Reviews for the 2022 vintage below…

96/100 JamesSuckling.com (2022 Vintage)
"Lively, racy and driven, this pinot noir impresses with its aromas of fresh strawberries, forest berries, stones, forest floor and orange blossoms. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Refined texture and character, with juicy fresh fruit and a vivid finish of length. From organically grown grapes."

96/100 Susie Barrie MW & Peter Richards MW (UK), Susie & Peter New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 (2022 Vintage)
"So this is where it all began for Sam Neill’s wine adventure – the first vineyard he planted, back in 1993, in the upper Gibbston reaches of Central Otago. As a wine, it exemplifies the vision for Pinot Noir that shines through all this estate’s wines: complexity and intensity but also, above all, elegance and drinkability…and a cheeky sense of light-hearted fun at the same time. The first vintage off here was the 1997, and as the coolest and latest-harvested site of the four estate vineyards, it tends to give delicate, perfumed styles. That said, in this vintage, perhaps because of the slightly warmer conditions, there’s a fair bit of dark fruit and depth to this wine, with an inviting smoky, roasted herb complexity. The palate is relatively muscular too, with layers of flavour and elegantly drying tannins. Maturing nicely."

95/100 Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter UK, October 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"Only made in outstanding Gibbston vintages – and 2022 was such a year. Beautifully perfumed, it’s a seductive expression with lifted red fruits, abundant florals and subtle spice. The supple, silken palate has a filigree structure, its grace belies a surprising amount of persistence and power. A truly lovely wine that captures Gibbston’s quiet power and finesse. Organically farmed. From the original Two Paddocks vineyard in Gibbston planted to Pinot Noir in 1994 – then just 2ha, now expanded to 4.6ha."