Sam Neill

Proprietor

Also itinerant actor. Long standing interest in wine, particularly red wine, which accounts for his rude good health. Very proud of everything about Two Paddocks, and will bore you to death on the subject if you give him a chance. Don't. Has visions of a vast Two Paddocks Empire, but is usually better the next day. Plays cricket badly, also the ukulele. Pretends to be a fly fisherman. Not related to Sam Hunt.

Sam is an active proponent of protecting and preserving New Zealand's precious natural resources. He is a member of the Sustainability Council of New Zealand, a trustee of the National Parks and Conservation Foundation and a Patron for Waitaki First.

Noriko Watanabe

C.E.O. Lavender and Saffron Division

Closely related to proprietor. Top Hollywood make-up artist and Top Chef also. Good looking sort.

Mark Field

General Manager

Mark comes to us after years in the hospitality industry, and he has the complexion to prove it. Mark now handles sales, clients, business affairs, kitchen sinks – you name it, and Mark can do it. Frighteningly competent. Mark comes directly from Waitiri Creek Wines. Actually, not exactly direct; two refreshment stops at the Cardrona pub delayed his start at T.P. by a couple of weeks, but that’s all behind us now and Mark is now well in charge.

Mark is transforming Two Paddocks into the amazingly professional outfit we’d always imagined!

Dean Shaw

Lead Winemaker

One of New Zealand's top winemakers, Dean very nearly had a career in the S.A.S.! Well, not really, we just made that up. The S.A.S. bit. See more about the hirsute and encyclopedically knowledgeable Dean in the Winemaker section.

Mike Wing

Vineyard Manager

Mike has been with us since 2005, working first as assistant vineyard manager and now as the head man, boss man, head honcho of horticulture. Mike knows our vineyards like the back of his capable hands, and has energy and commitment to burn. We are all excited about a new era with Mike at the helm, with his staff and management behind him like Caesar’s legions. (all four of us).

Larry McKenna

Vineyard Consultant

For the last two decades the maestro of New Zealand Pinot Noir, former Martinborough Vineyards winemaker Larry McKenna, has given us invaluable advice as consultant to Two Paddocks. He brings his expertise not only to the winery, but also to the vineyard. He is, in addition, excellent company over a good meal and a bottle or three of our excellent Pinot and we look forward to his visits down south. Now has his own Escarpment Wine - another wonderful label.

Bob McSkimming

Bob “the Brain” is new to us, but an old hand at matters agricultural. Country is the territory for Bob these days, having suffered twenty years as an accountant. So who can blame him? An all-rounder, Bob can drive a truck, prune a vine and if pressed compose a cantata -- in whatever key you fancy.

Keith Robertson

The most coveted job at Two Paddocks (originally created by the legendary Brian Croot, now in semi and indolent retirement across the valley) is that of T.P. farmer/groundsman/greens/landscaper/story teller/bon-vivant.

Brian set the tone here – louche, urbane and erudite, he could turn a Massey Fergusson on a dime ( well a tuppenny piece probably).

So into Brian’s two toned brogues steps Keith – adventurer/rugby coach/motellier/farmer/kabuki busker/martial arts aficionado. A legend at Rotary in other words.

Keith brings a keen analytical and inquiring mind to the smoko table and a crisp and sophisticated finish to the mowing. “Keith is awesome” Otago Mountain Scene

Nathan Corlett

Nathan has moved up from lettuces in Levin to grapes in Earnscleugh. A wise move indeed. Nathan is our main man on the tractor, although he’s wise enough to defer to Brian who’s been driving tractors since they first appeared before the First World War. Nathan looks good in a suit on Sundays, unlike the rest of the heathen horde that clutter up the joint round here. We ask him to put in a good word on our behalf, when we remember.

Dennis Hearfield

Designer

Since Hearfield is a very old friend of our proprietor, some have said his position as graphic designer supremo is a blatant and disgraceful example of cronyism at Two Paddocks.

This is an outrageous libel that we vigorously deny. It is, in fact, Hearfield's lifelong devotion to wine and good living that made him our obvious and first choice. (Very good living actually). His intimate study of wine labels for instance is a case in point -- some of us remember with admiration times in which Dennis would selflessly devote an entire night to at least a dozen different bottles, and wake the next morning only inches away from his favourite design.

Hearfield studied at the distinguished University of Canterbury Art School. He is chiefly remembered there for his playing of the jug in the legendary Band of Hope Jug Band (along with several other cronies of the proprietor) This required no musicality at all, but a great set of lungs. Again, just the man for the job.

Since that time Hearfield has been at the top of his game in Sydney, a career of such renown it needs no elaboration here. He is so often seen at some of our favourite restaurants that occasionally rumours surface that there may be more than one Hearfield, and that either he is one of triplets or some mad scientist has cloned our friend. Not a happy thought.

He is unaccountably irresistibly attractive to women, something we at Two Paddocks try not to resent. He in fact lives with one Sydney's great beauties, who sadly prefers to remain anonymous on these pages.

It was Dennis' idea that we use a different flower on our labels every year. We love his work, and we are gratified that our bottles are not only immediately recognizable but also look completely different from anything else on the market. Once a year when the new label arrives the collective cheer goes up at T.P.H.Q.- "On yer Den!" This roughly translates as "Excellent work again, maestro."

Neil Gaudin

Executive Director, Central Otago Wine Company

Neil is an old pal of Mike Wolter, and an accountant to boot. Also enjoys another life as Dunedin's fashion guru and style leader. Party animal and tireless clubber, Neil is handy at vintage time as DJ for C.O. Wine Co, the country's loudest winery. Respect! Has a vast wine cellar, but prefers Two Paddocks above all else. And who can blame him for that.

Diane Von Mollenburg

Diane has brought Teutonic discipline to both the office and the staff room. All the lads are terrified, as well they might. Just so much as look at a dirty teacup and all hell breaks loose. The Proprietor is delighted. Diane brings years of experience at Mercedes Benz G.B.H (Stutgart) Heinkel-Ribbentrop-Gurgelheimer Wines (Mosel) and Gribell-Schwarzz Akountents (Munchen). All in administration. Our office has never been more organized. Or punctual.

She also bakes bread in her spare time. Things are really looking up. Danke Diane.

Felicity Oxnevad

Accounts and Discipline

Felicity, another neighbour and friend of the proprietor, is not only our resident whiz with figures, she also runs our glamorous and wildly successful ski team. Two Paddocks has had two great seasons at Coronet Peak, and confidently expects to represent N.Z. at the next Olympics. Felicity, like Bridget, brings much needed glamour to T.P, and is good at getting us to keep our socks up. Has learnt to avoid pointing out to the proprietor the blatant noncommercial nature of the T.P. enterprise, as he would sooner not know. Much feared tennis player (serve recorded at 134 m.p.h.).

Cathy Scott

Webmaster

More glamour, and more brains than you can shake a stick at. Virtually helped Al Gore to invent the Internet. Film buff; knows more about the French New Wave than Cahiers du Cinema. Ubernerd aside, Cathy is an outdoors freak and is often found astride the tundra in far flung parts of the world. Has climbed 7 of the big 10. Often seen at Hollywood premieres in Yves St. Laurent. Has other computer duties, but none of us at T.P. can quite grasp what they are. Enjoys a large fan base.