Remembering Sam Neill, 1947 – 2026
The actor and winemaker Sam Neill passed away on 13 July in Sydney, Australia.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill grew up in New Zealand and became a passionate ambassador for the country’s wines. He bought his first vineyard in Central Otago in 1991 and established Two Paddocks winery in 1993, which is now one of New Zealand’s most respected wine brands.
Earlier this month, he was recognised as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers for promoting New Zealand wine. He was due to be inducted at a celebration dinner at the end of August.
The organisation commented: ‘As an internationally acclaimed actor and tireless advocate for the industry over many years, Sam has generously used his profile, talents, and distinctive voice to promote New Zealand wine, bringing authenticity, warmth and global attention to the people, places, and stories behind the industry.’
Neill was known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, as well as numerous other film and TV appearances including The Piano, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October and Peaky Blinders.
Decanter magazine published this interview with him in its July 2026 edition, where he discussed his wine lineage, his fondness for big Aussie reds, and how a producer once tried to woo him with two bottles of Latour 1964.
On the rack: Sam Neill on his love of wine
Sam Neill, at the Sitges Film Festival in 2019.
(Image credit: Photo by David Zorrakino / Europa Press via Getty Images)
Interview by Lucy Shaw. As featured in Decanter magazine’s July 2026 issue.
When did you first become interested in wine?
Wine was always a part of family life and the dinner table was never without a bottle or two. My family had a wine and spirits firm for 150 years, but it goes back further than that. A cousin, one Benjamin Ingham, made a fortune selling Marsala during the Napoleonic Wars. His former residence is now the best hotel in Palermo.
Then there was a great-something grandfather who made crystal wine glasses in Cork in the 1700s, so perhaps it was inevitable that I would end up in the booze business.
Where do you keep your everydaydrinking wine?
In the laundry.
What’s on your wine rack?
I take pleasure in drinking wine from all over the world, and there are few things I enjoy more than a ‘big red’ that’s entirely different from the Central Otago Pinot that we grow on Two Paddocks Estate.
I recently brought back a mixed case or two from Ribera del Duero in Spain, and they’ve been my latest enthusiasm. I’m also a big fan of massive Australian blends such as Yalumba’s The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2022 [£49.50 NY Wines]. Half a dozen have just arrived, so pleasure is in store.
Where do you buy your wine?
I travel a lot with my work, so it depends where I am. In Spain, I find that the more focused the shop is on wine, the happier the results. Our distributors are very good at pointing me towards interesting wines – and almost as importantly, at a great price.
Your go-to wine for a night in?
It has to be one of our own, because it comes with the added satisfaction of enjoying all the hard work that’s evident in the glass.
People forget how big a job it is to make your own organic wine, and on top of that, with the most fickle of grapes: Pinot Noir. Our Pinots are understated works of art, but you knew that already.
St. John Bread and Wine in London.
(Image credit: Featured in Decanter magazine’s July 2026 issue.)
And your favourite restaurant?
It’s deeply annoying to admit, but St John in London’s Clerkenwell has been my favourite for decades. I say annoying because owner Fergus Henderson only stocks French wine. For a wise and innovative chef, this is entirely baffling.
Restaurant recommendations from wine regions?
Burgundy is my favourite region, and perhaps it’s just me, but Burgundian food doesn’t match well with Burgundy wine – it’s far too heavy.
We have three great little joints close to Two Paddocks: The Old Clyde Bank, Olivers and The Packing Shed. My cup runneth over…
What’s your signature dinner party dish and who would be your dream guests?
I’m not a cook, but I love dinner parties. Someone else has to do the heavy lifting, but it will typically include lamb from the farm, and vegetables and fruit off the home property.
I’d invite Stephen Fry (I’ve road-tested him a few times and he’s great company), and storytellers par excellence Michael Caine and Oscar Wilde.
What’s your go-to special occasion wine?
Penfolds Bin 389. Always (in my view) better than Grange. And better priced.
(Image credit: Featured in Decanter magazine’s July 2026 issue.)
The best bottle you’ve ever had?
I was lucky enough to share two bottles of 1964 Château Latour with a producer who wanted me to act in his film. I loved it, but Bordeaux isn’t my favourite region. I didn’t end up taking the part, which makes it even more of a waste.
But there’s no such thing as the best bottle you’ve ever had. Wine is conviviality, conversations, good food and friendship.
Do you have any bucket list wines?
I need to explore Spain and Portugal more. I’m a fool for Chardonnay, but I only got around to planting some this year.
With which grape variety do you think you most identify?
Pinot Noir. Only a crazy person like me would bother to grow it, but boy is it worth it.
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