Forget Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand’s New Big Thing Is Pinot Noir

The island nation was once known merely for crisp, grassy sauvignon blanc wines. No longer.

Vineyards in Otaga, New Zealand.

Photographer: Danita Delimont/Getty Images

Actor Sam Neill just finished a six-part television documentary on the voyages of Captain Cook, but right now he’s focused on the role of proud farmer. I’m walking with him on a tour of his organic vineyard in Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand as he shows off his prize pigs and pulls out bottles of his much-talked-about Two Paddocks pinot noirs.

“What do you think?” he asks.