Our Team

A better bunch you couldn't hope to meet - Team Two Paddocks.

PROPRIETOR

SAM NEILL

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 and a trustee of the National Parks and Conservation Foundation.

MANAGER

JACQUI MURPHY

Jacqui began her wine industry career in 1994 working at Gibbston Valley Wines in Central Otago before studying Viticulture & Oenology at Lincoln University. After half a dozen vintages in Marlborough, the Hunter Valley and Bordeaux, she realised that wine tasting and communication were more her forte whilst forklifts, tanks and hoses were not a natural proclivity.There followed seven years working in Australia, namely at iconic Tyrrell’s, before finally settling back in Central Otago in 2007, working brief stints at Akarua and Valli before arriving at Two Paddocks in 2011. The role varies widely but chiefly involves supporting the talented Two Paddocks Crew and enthusiastic Proprietor, Sam Neill, whilst ensuring that Two Paddocks wines are always seen in fine company.Her favourite task within the viticultural calendar is tasting the new vintage pinots on the blending bench with the winegrowing team and following these wines through to the bottle.

LEAD WINEMAKER

DEAN SHAW

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.

VINEYARD MANAGER

MIKE WING

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).

VINEYARD CONSULTANT

LARRY MCKENNA

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.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL OTAGO WINE COMPANY

NEIL GAUDIN

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.

ACCOUNTS AND BUSINESS

ALISTAIR KING, B. COM., B.G., N.Z.C.A.S., B.S., ETC.

Alistair is the Numbers Man for Two Paddocks and is inordinately well qualified. He also owns the only tie within the Two Paddocks Organization, and here it is. We put it up for sale on the net, but no offers were forthcoming, so the tie still comes to work.He is the principal of WHK, a Wanaka firm. An Asian client called him a "wanaka" not long ago, but that was merely a linguistic confusion, and Alistair took it in good part.Alistair has 20/20 vision, but wears glasses so that people take him more seriously. This hardly ever works.

SKI TEAM CAPTAIN AND DISCIPLINE

FELICITY OXNEVAD

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.).

The Alumni

Gone but not forgotten...

Bestiary

The real stars of the show...