Fans across New Zealand and around the world are paying tribute to the late Sam Neill by purchasing his wine brand and making large donations to causes he supported.
The 78-year-old actor died on July 13 of pneumonia, three months after announcing he was cancer-free following a 2022 diagnosis of stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
Following his death, representative Philip Grenz suggested fans donate to causes Neill held dear instead of sending flowers to the family.
Wine Sales Soar
Neill produced pinot noir, riesling, and rosé under his Two Paddocks label in Central Otago, New Zealand, often donating bottles to charitable causes and friends.
National retailer Liquorland reported that Two Paddocks pinot noir jumped from being its 423rd bestselling wine to fifth place following his death, marking a 1,828% sales increase.
Boutique stores also experienced high demand, with Regional Wines in Wellington selling out on the day he died, while wholesaler Moore Wilson's sold five times its usual volume.
"Customers have shared plans to enjoy Sir Sam Neill’s movies with a glass of his pinot noir," said Moore Wilson’s general manager Amanda Thompson.
"Others are stocking up the cellar, and some of the cafes and restaurants were putting up a blackboard special to celebrate his life."
Two Paddocks general manager Jacqui Murphy stated that Neill considered sharing great wine with family and friends a sign of living well.
"I’m sure he would regret the reason they needed to do this, but he talked about wine being about conviviality, connecting people," Murphy said.
"So I think he would think it was very apt, and he’d be even more excited that they were, of course, drinking his Two Paddocks."
Dean McHenry, general manager at distributor Negociants New Zealand, noted an upswing in demand across the nation over the past week.
"I just think it shows what he meant to us as a nation at the bottom of the world," McHenry stated.
Charity Donations Surge
Anti-mining group Sustainable Tarras received over NZ$20,000 (£10,300) in unexpected donations after Neill's death.
Neill had previously joined the group to oppose an open-cast goldmine project in the Dunstan mountains near his vineyard, claiming it would destroy the region.
Supporters left messages with their contributions promising to continue the environmental fight in his honor.
"In honour of the great Sam Neill and for everyone against this ugly idea," wrote one donor.
"For Sam. We will carry on fighting in your name," another donor added.
"Donating in memory of Sam Neill, a man of integrity and honour who would want you to continue the fight against this appalling assault on such a wonderful landscape," expressed a fan from Scotland.
Sustainable Tarras chair Suze Keith noted that Neill's involvement helped the group hire experts to contest the mine proposal.
"It’s just so tragic to have lost him … It’s so encouraging so many people have come out to say: ‘keep it up, keep it up these efforts, let us help you keep up these efforts’.
It is really quite a remarkable thing," Keith said.
Dunstan Hospital Foundation in Central Otago, where Neill underwent cancer treatment, also received international donations alongside personal messages reflecting his impact.
"These have included some special, heartfelt messages of how important Sir Sam was to them and how important this hospital is," said chief executive Hayley Anderson.
