Sales of Sam Neill's Two Paddocks wine have skyrocketed, and donations to causes he championed have surged, as fans worldwide pay tribute to the beloved New Zealand actor who died on 13 July at age 78 from pneumonia. Neill had been cancer-free since his 2022 diagnosis of stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
Wine Sales Spike Dramatically
Liquorland, a national retailer with 175 stores, reported that Two Paddocks pinot noir jumped from the 423rd bestselling wine the week before Neill's death to number five in the days after—a 1,828% increase in sales. Regional Wines in Wellington sold out on the day of his death, while Moore Wilson's sold five times its usual volume of Two Paddocks wines.
“Customers have shared plans to enjoy Sir Sam Neill’s movies with a glass of his pinot noir,” said Amanda Thompson, Moore Wilson’s general manager. “Others are stocking up the cellar, and some of the cafes and restaurants were putting up a blackboard special to celebrate his life.”
Fans Donate to Anti-Mining Cause
Neill's representative, Philip Grenz, had suggested fans donate to causes Neill cared about instead of sending flowers. Sustainable Tarras, an anti-mining group that fought a proposed open-cast goldmine near Neill's vineyard in Central Otago, received more than NZ$20,000 (£8,700) in donations after his death. Neill had joined the group's fight, saying the mine would “be the end” for the region.
“In honour of the great Sam Neill and for everyone against this ugly idea,” wrote one donor. Another said, “For Sam. We will carry on fighting in your name.” A fan from Scotland added: “Donating in memory of Sam Neill, a man of integrity and honour who would want you to continue the fight against this appalling assault on such a wonderful landscape.”
Bittersweet Impact on Local Groups
Suze Keith, chair of Sustainable Tarras, called Neill a “knight in shining armour” whose support allowed the group to bring in experts. “It’s just so tragic to have lost him … It’s so encouraging so many people have come out to say: ‘keep it up, keep up these efforts, let us help you keep up these efforts’,” she said.
Dunstan Hospital Foundation in Central Otago, where Neill received cancer treatment, also received dozens of individual donations from around the world. Chief executive Hayley Anderson noted “special, heartfelt messages of how important Sir Sam was to them and how important this hospital is.”
Wine as a Symbol of Connection
Two Paddocks' general manager Jacqui Murphy said Neill would have been touched by the response. “I’m sure he would regret the reason they needed to do this, but he talked about wine being about conviviality, connecting people,” she said. “So I think he would think it was very apt, and he’d be even more excited that they were, of course, drinking his Two Paddocks.”
Dean McHenry, general manager of Two Paddocks distributor Negociants New Zealand, said the brand had always been popular but demand surged after Neill's death. “I just think it shows what he meant to us as a nation at the bottom of the world,” he said.
