Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir, Central Otago (Organic)

Description

Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir is a red wine made from grapes grown in the Central Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. The estate was established by actor Sam Neill in 1993 and is one of the most highly regarded in the region.

New Zealand born Sam Neill originally bought a paddock in Gibbston with the aim of producing a small amount of good quality Pinot Noir, enough to supply his friends and family. Two Paddocks has since grown into a serious wine company and the only winery to own vineyards in all three of Otago’s major wine valleys. There are now 4 small vineyards located in the Gibbston, Alexandra (Earnscleugh) and Bannockburn sub-regions. The vineyards are run on holistic principals which aims to naturally recycle all farm animal and vine by products back into composts and nutrient rich soil enhancers that are then applied to the vineyards. The vineyards are currently in transition to organic. The estate is probably most famous for their single vineyard Pinot Noirs (The Fusilier, The First and The Last Chance) whilst the Picnic range is an entry point range consisting of an excellent Riesling and Pinot Noir.

The grapes for the Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir come from 3 sub-regions of Central Otago: 36% Alexandra, 46% Bannockburn and 18% Gibbston. They are hand harvested, 89% de-stemmed and given 5-7 days pre-fermentation cold maceration. After an indigenous ferment the wine is given another 5-7 days post ferment time on skins. Wine is then transferred to 1-4 year old French medium toast barriques (4% new oak) for a 9 month maturation in predominantly older oak, before racking and bottling.

The label features an image of Sam Neill’s grandfather, wine merchant Sydney Neill, in Otago in 1919.

Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir is organically certified and vegetarian and vegan friendly.