Blog

Another for The Spectator

More than just a plain face, The Prop writes again for that august British organ, The Spectator. About actors, accidents, other diverse interests and of course our vineyards ...

Read it here in our Articles section.

Or you can read it online at The Spectator.

 

And Les Francais...

So, our latest official Two Paddocks t-shirts are now available, at very limited numbers. Designed by artist Alex Stephenson, they are made in both men's and women's styles, and as you see, are both dizzyingly attractive and entirely practical.

Our models are our resident friends from France, Burgundy in fact. Louis Meunier from Domaine JJ Confuron (Cote de Nuits) and Justine Clerget, from Domaine Christian Clerget (Vougeot), are with us working this summer, and very good they are too.  They  are both from sublimely distinguished Burgundy houses.

The t-shirts are available on line or at the cellar door.

Thicker than water, not falling far from the tree, etc.

So, those of you who know a little about our story already know that last year marked 150 years of the Neill family in the wine business in New Zealand (and who knows how many before that?)

Percival Clay Neill landed in Dunedin in 1861, and within a year had set up what would become the very successful Neill & Company Wines and Spirits Merchants.

All these years later a number of his descendants carry on the tradition, and are making wine both in Central Otago and Marlborough. And last week three of us met up for dinner in Marlborough -- George Elworthy, Gary Neill and S. Neill, with a bunch of other derros. Great fun, lots drunk. And further demonstration, if any were needed,  that we all produce cracking good wines.

And here are some present  ...

Pictured:  S.N. (Two Paddocks), Jules Taylor (Jules Taylor Wines), Sara and Gary Neill (Ballochdale Vineyard Estate), George Elworthy (Jules Taylor Wines).

Note: the Prop does not have the most enormous head in the room, that is simple a function of the lens.

Note: Jules and George are married.

Note: Jules is really gorgeous, and this photo does her no justice. Fact is, it’s the only one the Prop doesn’t look pissed in, so hard cheese, Jules.

Note: We recommend all Jules Taylor Wines and all Ballochdale wines as well. Check ‘em out ...

On Eggs One of our Indian Runner Ducks, Maria Sharapova, is nesting discreetly in a bed of old lavender bushes. She thinks we can’t see her hiding in there. She is wrong.

We will let you know when she hatches her eggs.

The previous nester had her eggs stolen, we think by hedgehogs. Being free range comes with some dangers ...

And all just like her ...

Our comely saddleback pig, Imogen Poots, has given birth to no less than ten saddleback piglets.

Judge for yourself, but some of us say too cute to be true. This is a pig who likes her creature comforts, so she retreats to her 5-star nest at feeding time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're in Queenstown on November 10th, join us for lunch with the Prop, Blair Walters and Paul Tudgay at Rātā. Great food, great wine and lots of wine talk.

Visit Rātā's web site

 

All Pigs Are Pigs!

A rose by any other name...

The livestock on the HQ vineyard Redbank are increasing almost by the day. Not only has the cow FINALLY, reluctantly, calved; but we now have a new sow.

And a great beauty she is too.

Meanwhile, while Ginger Pig is mothering three piglets, fathered by our bloke pig Angelica, the bloke in question has found his solitary paddock graced by the New Sow of Great Beauty.

Angelica can’t believe his luck and is showering her with attention. It seems almost cruel to break the news to him she is already in the family way by ... a prior arrangement.

The new sow, being of great beauty, is of course called Imogen Poots. Poots for short.

Sprung

Mike took this photo this morning, of our first lamb this year. Born this very day.

More livestock news from the vineyard soon.

What's your whānau doing? 

Conservation Week 2013 (8–15 September) is a chance for you and your family to make a pledge for conservation, and celebrate New Zealand's special places and native wildlife. Learn more about it here: Conservation Week Home Page.

 

Milestones and gallstones

Keith had a big birthday this week and the Premier Cru celebrated with club sandwiches, sponge cake, scones and cream and dainty pies.

Most of this was provided by the astounding Glenys, his long suffering wife, who excelled even herself despite a recent knee reconstruction. That woman is a saint.

As a result of the birthday bash, the Prop has put the boys back on hard labour, as there seem to be signs of a mild outbreak of obesity on the farm. Not only the pigs should be concerned about their waistlines.

The pigs, incidentally, have been told to hang their heads in shame at their blimp-like silhouettes, but this proved impossible with their big fat necks. They are looking more like hairy Zeppelins than your actual pigs these days. Mind you, like the blimps of old, it could be all air – or worse, gas. Not so much "Oh, the Humanity!," more "Oh, The Piggery!"

3 August 2013

Andrew Denton, Broadcaster, Entrepreneur, Comedian.

Who said The Dayglo Disco was dead? No way, Brothers and Sisters. The House is a – Rockin', don't bother Knockin’.  Just come on in. And tonight, our pal – groover and dancer extraordinaire, the extraordinary Andrew Denton; broadcaster and comedian and good fellow. Go there! >>>