One famous name’s bought vineyard land at Queenstown’s Gibbston from another famous name.
AJ Hackett bungy pioneer Henry van Asch, who has his own wine label, has bought actor Sam Neill’s original vineyard, The First Paddock, on Gibbston Back Road.
The sale of the 8.3-hectare property, including 4.61ha planted in organic pinot noir vines, is highlighted in Colliers Otago’s latest ‘Market Review & Outlook’.
It reveals the plot changed hands for $2,427,000.
According to property records, it’s now owned by Van Asch Ventures Ltd, whose sole director and shareholder is Van Asch, however he refused to com ment on the sale this week — ‘‘it’s private, family matters’’.
Mountain Scene reported last year Two Paddocks owner Neill had put his property up for sale as ‘‘it’s just a little far from our core business near Alexandra and Bannockburn’’.
Neill planted his first First Paddock vines in 1993.
Wine made from the property’s been internationally recognised, including being among a handful of Kiwi wines to receive 95 points from Wine Spectator magazine.
It’s understood Neill’s now leasing his former vine yard back.
