22 November 2006

More Dreams, More Fantasy!

So – here we have the final list for auction on Thursday 23rd November in Sydney at The Four Seasons Hotel on behalf of the Price of Wales Hospital.

We are grateful indeed to these generous and splendid establishments, and we all hope we make a truckload of money for this great cause!

12 November 2006

E-mail, Proprietor Style

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.

8 November 2006

Prince of Wales Hospital Charity Event

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

More Good News on the Health Front

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!)

18 October 2006

Proprietor Spotted at Providores Restaurant, London

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!

21 August 2006

Cellar Door Opening this Summer

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.

14 August 2006

Celebrity Wine Competition

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

4 August 2006

Sociable Red Bottled

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!

2 August 2006

Bill on Cleanup Detail

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!

1 August 2006

2006: A Bright Vintage Year

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.

30 July 2006

Pip Wither: Budding Young Viticulturist

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!

19 July 2006

New New Zealand Distributor

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

7 July 2006

Oh Canada!

Our first (modest) shipment has left for Ontario, Canada. Canada is a country we already much admire – sensible politics, loads of comedians, Neil Young, K.D. Lang – we could go on. However now that '03 Last Chance and '04 Picnic Pinot are available (exclusively at Vintages stores), the outlook for the good life north of the border looks even rosier.

23 June 2006

Brian Brown Retiring

Moving to greener pastures

Murmurings of discontent, even the occasional baa of distress, from the sheep paddocks. Brian Brown (ram, and soul mate of the much admired Australian thespian) is rumoured to be moving on. Our livestock manager, Brian Croot (no relation) has been thinking! As a result, our black-faced South Suffolk ewes, the same girls Brian Brown has been loving up for two years now, will be losing their sex-machine, in the interests of genetic diversity. A replacement is being sought. Brian (Brown) will be moving on to service some other woolly fortunates elsewhere.

19 June 2006

Proprietor on Location with "The Tudors"

Playing Cardinal Wolsey

Poorly spelt (indeed barely legible) missives from the Proprietor who is again in exile in Europe. He is apparently playing CARDINAL WOLSEY in “The Tudors”- a ten-hour spectacle being shot in Ireland. (“One fat bastard playing another”, some unkindly claim). The tenor of his communication, however, seems to be, generally speaking, happy. It seems he has been slipping away to London, thence to the splendid Ivy Restaurant, and straight into the Two Paddocks Last Chance 2004, back on the menu. A perfect accompaniment to their wonderful food. Huzzah!

The Proprietor also recommends St John Restaurant, and The Wolsely (no relation), although frowns upon their sadly Franco-centric wine lists. While often admittedly excellent, THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN FRENCH WINE! Much, much more! Ah well…(sigh).

6th June 2006

Sue Hinton Retiring

Sue Hinton resigned today for health reasons, and we’re sorry to lose her. She’s been invaluable and a great contributor. Get well soon, Sue.

Who’s going to keep the boys tidy now? Watch this space.

26 May 2006

Blessed Event

Isabel Flatman, 8 1bs, 4 oz and gorgeous, born today. All at Redbank proud, and congratulations to parents. Thanks to God that she looks like her mother…

15 May 2006

2006 Vintage Success

Proprietor, winemaker, manager, vineyard manager, staff, casuals, extended family, South Suffolk sheep, critics, caterer and company dog all foaming, positively fizzing at the bung at this years vintage. An absolute red-letter ball tearer, the 2006!

Amazingly there were actual sightings of the Proprietor this year, picking grapes! These sightings have been verified by N.A.S.A., gainsaying those who doubt the man hasn’t lifted a finger for the last 30 years.

Dean is enthusiastic in particular this year about First Paddock (Gibbston), our most flighty and temperamental vineyard. First Paddock like some people we know, is in an ordinary year, rather naughty; but when she’s good, she’s very, very good indeed!

Two Paddocks fans (and we know you are legion) should take heart.

7 May 2006

Congratulations to Tim

Two Paddocks notes with pride the graduation of the Proprietor’s son, Tim, as Bachelor of Arts, Colby-Sawyer College, Vermont. Clearly gets his brains from his mother.

27 April 2006

Givaways Galore

Management have lost count of the Proprietor’s crazed giveaways this year, not only to various charitable causes, but also to those New Zealanders he has found particularly pleasing over the past year.

Those we remember include the following distinguished personages:

Bic Runga – Chanteuse and muse
Dick Frizzel – wildman and painter
Toa Frazer – author and cineaste
Oscar Keightly – comedian, actor, cineaste
Tama Umaga – Retiring All Black great and captain, and all round fair player!
King Kapisi – R&B star
Pita Sharples – politician
Helen Clark - statesperson

Fair play and congratulations to all!

11 March 2006

Here's to Your Health

Tooth, heart, brains, fish …

More good news for Two Paddock Pinot drinkers. Our erudite and conscientious researcher (the Proprietor) in his tireless quest on behalf of our valued customers, (you), unearths this today from The Independent (11.03.2006):

“Scientists have found that certain compounds in red wine could play a role in preventing gum disease and tooth loss … (they) found that the polyphenols (in red wine) had a “significant inhibitor” effect on the growth of the bacteria. They concluded that the compounds could help prevent the spread of gum diseases. … Red wine has been shown to have a number of health benefits including reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease again because of the polyphenols.”

Marvellous! You get to live longer, remember your name, and what is more keep your gnashers! Open another Pinot, garçon! But wait, there’s more!

“Red wine has also been found to be a good source of fibre, which can help to prevent bowel cancer” (who knew?)

And this astounding fact –

“Last month Italian scientists found that feeding fish a certain polyphenol
in red wine, ressveratrol, extended their lives by up to 60 percent”

Fantastic! But please – do not slip your carp any Picnic Pinot or Last Chance. Keep it selfishly to yourselves, and remember fish will drink anything.

Good Health! Long Life!

8 March 2006

UK Catastrophe

Distressed bleats from Proprietor, now in the U.K; Two Paddocks all sold out. Our esteemed British colleagues Haynes Hansen and Clarke are unable to help. Proprietor seen pale and shaky, and threatening to keep more to himself.

15 February 2006

Proprietor Travelling

Work proceeds apace

Collective sigh of relief at T.P.H.Q. The Proprietor has left for foreign climes to work with François Ozon, distinguished French auteur.

The hum of bee-like industry now pervades the vineyards, uninterrupted by querulous demands from above. Richard very optimistic that 2006, barring natural calamity, will be our best vintage yet. Touch wood!

2 February 2006

Label Art, Leunig Style

Michael Leunig agrees to design next TP label

A collective cheer from Proprietor, Management, Staff, Customers, Art Lovers, Aesthetes, Livestock, the Meek and the Mild alike. Michael Leunig, antipodean legend and perhaps the World's Greatest Living Cartoonist has agreed to kindly provide one of his beautiful and always touching drawings for our upcoming Picnic Merlot label.

Watch this space. The Proprietor, in particular, is positively foaming with pleasure.