April 2000

New Vineyard Purchased

Sixty acres in the beautiful Earnscleugh Valley

Two Paddocks has just bought a third block of land in the Earnscleugh Valley, a lovely sheltered sixty acres tucked between two rocky escarpments, which we have named Redbank Paddocks. This little farm, named Redbank, was formerly a government horticultural research station and as a result still crops certain exotic plants -- lavender, marigolds, ginseng, peppermint, etc. We have begun planting and will plant more Pinot Noir there in the spring.

6 July 2000

Two Paddocks Expands Crop, Product Plans at Redbank Paddocks

Manager appointed. Crop and planting plans established.

Jo Shroff has been named manager of Redbank Paddocks. Jo, who has been running the Redbank station for the last couple of years, is enlarging on the horticultural research that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) started. We see this work as complimentary to viticulture and plan to continue to expand on it. At the moment Redbank Paddocks' principal crops are lavender, marigolds and St. John's wort; all plants with health giving properties -- like red wine. Jo distills oils and essences in the Redbank laboratory with spectacular results. If you look carefully in certain good heath shops in New Zealand, you will find Redbank products. We are considering remarketing these products under the Two Paddocks brand.

The property also yields crops such as thyme, pistachio nuts and bay trees and we are looking into planting additional high-quality niche products. In the spring, in addition to grapes, we will probably plant olive trees. We are very excited about this expansion of Two Paddocks crops and products.

8 December 2000

Pinot Noir 2001 Conference, New Zealand

Two Paddocks will be participating in the Pinot Noir 2001 Conference to be held in Wellington, New Zealand, Jan. 25-28, 2000. The programme features internationally recognised speakers and commentators on wine, along with New Zealanders who have made their mark in this challenging area of winemaking. The conference also offers events, gourmet meals, tours, and a Wines of New Zealand exhibit. Registration is limited.

As we get more details about our participation, we will post them here, so stay tuned.

9 December 2000

Riesling Planted at Redbank Paddocks

Two Paddocks has taken a startling new direction this month. We have planted almost a hectare of Riesling. Over four days, finishing December 5, 2000, we close planted 3,327 rooted cuttings (acquired from our distinguished colleagues at Felton Road) in one of our middle paddocks. Close planting encourages low yields and intense flavours in the grapes. We plan to produce, in other words, a premium dry Riesling to accompany our Pinot Noir.

We have taken this step because, while we can grow many varieties in our region successfully, we are of the conviction that the two classic varieties in Central Otago will be Riesling and Pinot Noir.

The grapes will be cropping first in 2003 so we can expect the first TWO PADDOCKS WHITE in 2004.

We can't wait.

12 December 2000

James Halliday Honours Two Paddocks

We are pleased to see that wine critic and Pinot Noir guru, James Halliday has listed Two Paddocks 1998 Neill Pinot Noir among his "Best of the Best" by variety in his Australia and New Zealand Wine Companion 2001. Mr. Halliday awards us 90 points.

He writes, "In terms of total production, Pinot Noir will never challenge Sauvignon Blanc in N.Z. but has every likelihood of displacing it as the national flag-carrier."

He also identifies 1998 as an outstanding vintage, and says that the South Island Pinots in such vintages can be wines with "astonishing colour, flavour, and power."

We take our inclusion (along with such peers as Felton Road, Whither Hills, Gibbston Valley, and Quartz Reef) as an honour, particularly as we have long admired and drunk Halliday's own Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir (in particular the reserve). We also recommend his new Wine Companion.