Following the death of actor Sam Neill on July 13 at age 78, fans have responded with a significant surge in sales of his Two Paddocks wine and increased donations to charities he championed. Neill died of pneumonia, a few months after announcing he was cancer-free following a battle with a rare form of lymphoma.
Neill's representative, Philip Grenz, encouraged admirers to honor the actor by supporting causes close to his heart, rather than sending flowers. This has led to a remarkable outpouring of support, with many fans toasting the screen legend with bottles of his wine from the Two Paddocks vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago region.
National retailer Liquorland reported an 1,828 percent increase in sales of Two Paddocks pinot noir in the days after Neill's death, propelling it to fifth place among the chain's bestsellers. Boutique wine stores also saw their stock depleted rapidly. Regional Wines in Wellington sold out its entire Two Paddocks inventory on the day of Neill's passing, while Moore Wilson's sold five times its usual volume.
Amanda Thompson, general manager at Moore Wilson's, told The Guardian that customers were planning to watch Neill's movies while enjoying his wine, with some stocking up their cellars and local cafes featuring his wine as a special. Neill was known for his passion for winemaking, producing pinot noir, riesling, and rosé under the Two Paddocks label, and was generous in donating bottles to charity auctions and sharing them with friends and family.
Jacqui Murphy, general manager of Two Paddocks, stated that Neill would have been deeply moved by the public's response, believing he would find it fitting and be excited that his wine was being enjoyed. Dean McHenry, general manager of distributor Negociants New Zealand, remarked that the surge in sales reflects Neill's significance to his homeland.
Fans have also contributed over $20,000 to the anti-mining group Sustainable Tarras, supporting Neill's environmental advocacy. Neill had strongly opposed a proposed open-cast gold mine near his vineyard, warning of its detrimental impact on the Central Otago region. Supporters left messages of solidarity with their donations, vowing to continue the fight in his name.
Suze Keith, chair of Sustainable Tarras, described Neill as a vital supporter whose involvement helped the group secure expert advice for its campaign. The Dunstan Hospital Foundation, where Neill received cancer treatment, has also received numerous donations globally, accompanied by messages celebrating his life and acknowledging the care he received.
Neill left behind an estimated net worth of between $25 million and $28 million, including a winery empire and several properties. His primary residence was his Two Paddocks winery in New Zealand's South Island.