Two Paddocks Picnic Riesling, Central Otago

Description

Two Paddocks Picnic Riesling is a white 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 regards 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 Riesling come from two small blocks of organically grown riesling from the Two Paddocks home vineyard, The Red Bank Farm & Vineyard, which is located in Earnscleugh, Alexandra. The vineyard soils are schist parent soil material with gravelly loam silt topsoil. In the vineyard, both shoot and laterals are thinned to reduce the crop load. Leaves that expose the grapes when ripening are also plucked off to increase sunlight exposure in to the vine canopy. The grapes are harvested by hand. 100% whole bunch pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation. The wine is made in a delicious off-dry style.

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

Two Paddocks Picnic Riesling is organically certified and vegetarian and vegan friendly.