Two Paddocks Picnic Riesling 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.

Organically grown on two small blocks at Two Paddocks home vineyard, and The Red Bank Farm & Vineyard, in Earnscleugh, Alexandra. Hand-harvested in April 2022 and whole-bunch pressed. This pressed juice was then steeped on those skins for 14 hours to extract aromatics and flavour, and then it was inoculated with yeast and fermented to just off-dry wine. The wine was in tank on its lees for three months before bottling in November 2022.