New Zealand retailers have experienced significant surges in sales of Two Paddocks wine, the pinot noir and riesling label owned by the late actor Sam Neill, as fans have sought ways to honor his memory. Neill, who was 78, died on 13 July from pneumonia. His representative encouraged supporters to make donations to causes Neill cared about rather than sending flowers to his family.
The spike in wine sales has been substantial across multiple retailers. At Liquorland, a national chain with 175 stores, Two Paddocks pinot noir jumped from the 423rd best-selling wine to number five following the news of Neill’s death, representing a 1,828% increase in sales. Regional boutique retailers in Wellington also reported selling out of inventory or experiencing multiples of their typical sales volume. Staff at Moore Wilson’s noted that customers shared plans to enjoy Neill’s films while drinking his wine, with some purchasing for their cellars and local establishments creating special menu offerings.
Management at Two Paddocks and its distributor indicated the brand had always maintained popularity but noted the recent uptick in demand was remarkable. The general manager of Two Paddocks suggested Neill would have appreciated the trend, as the winemaker viewed wine as a vehicle for bringing people together and living well.
Beyond wine sales, several charitable organizations Neill supported have received substantial new funding. Sustainable Tarras, an anti-mining group fighting a proposed open-cast goldmine near Neill’s vineyard in Central Otago, received donations exceeding NZ$20,000 following his death. Neill had been vocal in opposing the project. The hospital foundation where Neill received cancer treatment also reported dozens of donations from around the world, accompanied by messages reflecting his significance to supporters globally.