Sir Sam Neill has left behind a highly valuable estate, including his well-known Two Paddocks winery and a farm with cheekily named animals, following his death on Monday.
The Jurassic Park star's death was announced yesterday on social media, and was described as "sudden" and "unexpected".
Sir Sam's career stretched across almost five decades, from the beginnings of New Zealand’s modern film industry to one of the biggest blockbusters in cinema history, Jurassic Park.
His extensive film career will have earned him substantial sums. But outside Hollywood, Sir Sam spent most of his time at Two Paddocks, his winery business based in central Otago.
Realestate.com.au reported his net worth has been estimated to be between $31 million and $34 million (US$18 million to US$20 million) across his acting, properties and winery business.
Two Paddocks is comprised of a vineyard in Gibbston and two others near Alexandra. It was first opened in 1993 and began as five acre property, but expanded in the years since.
In a statement on the Two Paddocks website, Sir Sam had said his goal with the winery was "to produce a good pinot noir that would, at the very least, be enjoyed by my family and friends".
"Frankly, my friends will pretty much drink anything, so this didn't seem too hard."
The animals at the farms were also named after his film industry colleagues in a move he said was to prevent them from being eaten, such as his cow named Helena Bonham Carter.
"One can’t really eat Helena Bonham Carter," he told The Times in 2021.
On the wine side of the business, Sir Sam called it "ridiculously time and money-consuming".
"I would not do it if it was not so satisfying and fun, and it gets me pissed once in a while."
Along with his winery and farm, Sir Sam also owned a property in Wellington, and once purchased a property in Sydney's Double Bay in 1996 for A$839,000.
The four-bedroom property was sold in 2020 for an undisclosed price, but realestate.com.au reported it was believed to be above A$3.6 million.
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