Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir 2022

In 1993, actor Sam Neill established Two Paddocks in Central Otago, with the modest goal of producing Pinot Noir for family and friends. He planted five acres of Pinot Noir at the original vineyard in Gibbston, known as The First Paddock. Over time, the venture has expanded to include three additional vineyards – in Alexandra and Bannockburn. It puts Two Paddocks in the unique position of being the only Central Otago winery with a footprint in all three of Central Otago’s great valleys, by owning vineyards in Gibbston, the Alexandra Basin and the Cromwell Basin.

Sam’s relatively unambitious aim, began to be overtaken, as the exceptional quality of the wine became evident, starting with the first harvest in 1997. Ever since, they have been producing some of the world's best Pinot Noir.

Hand-harvested, between 28th March and 13th April, 89% of the fruit was de-stemmed and given 5-7 days pre-fermentation cold maceration. After an indigenous ferment the wine was given another 5-7 days post ferment time on skins. The wine was then transferred to 1-4 year old French medium toast barriques (2% new oak) for a 9 month maturation in predominantly older oak, before racking and bottling in February 2022.