Blog

Questions have been asked about the Proprietor’s tardiness in repling to e-mails by some of those who have direct access. We should explain that he is both isolated and technophobic.

Here’s how it works. You e-mail him, his assistant downloads your message and faxes it to a distant number; from that fax a native on a bicycle rides day and night to an outlying telegraph post; who then send a telegram to a large but capable women with a canoe who braves rapids and cannibals to a distant tribe who sends smoke signals across the alps, where nuns in a dusty convent transcribe your words onto virgin vellum which is passed through the gates to an old monk who is carried on a Jerusalem donkey to a high and obscure cave where the proprietor, working hard on the search for the perfect Pinot, puts down his glass thoughtfully and reads your message. A moment or two for thought, and then in a brusque and business-like manner he replies. The reply process works in reverse, and, in all one can expect to hear from him in about 7 ½ weeks. Not bad eh? If faster replies are absolutely necessary, we suggest E.S.P. Saves a lot of labour.

Hollywood Nights with Special Guest Sam Neill and Friends

The Proprietor is hosting a charity event for the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney on 23rd November (places still available).

In the course of the evening an auction will dispose of something called “Sam Neill’s Dream Cellar" and he has been busy contacting wineries he likes to contribute to this more than worthy cause by throwing a case of their best into the middle.

So far on board these laudable and generous wine producers:

Muddy Water (N.Z.), Cloudy Bay (N.Z.), Felton Road (N.Z.), Ata Rangi (N.Z.), Heathcote Estate (Aus), Henschke (Aus), De Bortoli (Aus), Grossett (Aus), Tyrrells (Aus), Petaluma (Aus), Wellington (Aus,) Fromm (N.Z.), Escarpment (N.Z.), Te Mata (N.Z.), Seresin (N.Z.), Stonier (Aus), Two Paddocks (natch!).

What a dream indeed! Watch this space…

6 November 2006

A daily pinot could offset the effects of bingeing on cheese. According to researchers at the Harvard Medical School, a natural substance found in red wine, known as resveratrol, reduces the bad effects of a high-calorie diet in mice and significantly extends their lifespan.

It's perhaps a partial explanation for the French paradox: people in France tend to enjoy a high-fat diet yet suffer less heart disease than Americans.

– New York Times

(Thanks to John Clarke, thespian of Melbourne, for his tortuous research!)

Delighted to find Two Paddocks The Last Chance '04 on the wine list

Several sightings of the Proprietor abroad, in London, in recent days. Our private detectives have hunted him down, and confessions (under duress) have been forthcoming. He admits to “living it large” in the former imperial capital. What this means remains unclear, but it has been confirmed that he was indeed throwing back liberal quantities of Two Paddocks The Last Chance 2004 Pinot Noir at Providores Restaurant in Marylebone. Followers of matters gastronomic will be aware this is Peter Gordon’s splendid establishment, where some of the world’s finest cooking is to be found. Proprietor apparently delighted to find Two Paddocks on Peter’s wine list, and puts his considerable imbibing down to “quality control”. Verdict – the Last Chance travels brilliantly, and is just the thing when at Providores!

By appointment only

Mark has quietly let it be known over coffee this morning that he will open the cellar door this summer, by appointment only. Not exactly to all and sundry – we think he wants you to be NICE to him on the phone, and then he might be persuaded… Worth a go! Give him a call if you really feel you want to buy some wine from the holy of holies.

We read with some puzzlement that we have beaten all comers in a “celebrity” wine competition in “Wine & Spirit” magazine (UK).

We are mystified to be in this league at all, since we’ve never imagined the Proprietor as anything other than a non entity, and a dull one at that!

We have applied science to the conundrum, and asked the serious questions:

1. Has the Proprietor been photographed with Paris Hilton?

Answer: No

2. Has he been to rehab recently?

Answer: Not yet!

3. Are the magazines worried about his weigh loss/gain ?

Answer: They’ve never heard of him!

4. Does he belong to a cult?

Answer: No. Not yet…although it could explain some things…

5. Do his fans fain on sighting the great man?

Answer: He has no fans.

A simple yes to any of these could have put him within sight of celebrity, but it was not to be.

Still a good result. For the record Ian Botham and Bob Willis, BMW – 2nd, Gerard Depardieu’s Chateau Frombaugo Blanc 3rd, Francis Ford Coppola – 4th…

See the full article here: www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk

The exclusive and widely anticipated Sociable Red, our classic Hawke’s Bay Merlot (forget the movie) having finally been bottled is now being released to an eager public. Let us know what you think!

Bill the goat off on holiday to Alex Paddocks. Well not exactly a holiday – much work to be done cleaning up water races. And he’s the goat for the job. Always happy at the end of his tether!

More news on our amazing 2006 vintage (from Richard) who says it’s his best vintage in 10 years.

• Pinot Noir -- 40 tons
• Riesling -- 5 tons

Very few frosts, and only two on the Gibbston block, 900 growing degree days, which equates to a warm to hot year for us. Vines slowed down mid March, which should give us wonderful Central Otago fruit flavours. Excellent fruit.

Pip Wither has come 4th in the Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the year competition. (Young usually denotes anyone younger than the proprietor, but in this case means under 30.) A great achievement for someone with only 2 years experience, and out of 320 points Pip was only 9 points behind the winner. Plus (a big plus) she won the pruning section! Onya girl!

Two Paddocks announces grandly: Epicurean Wines (respect!) are now our local johnnies (agents) up in Auckland. Welcome Epicurean!