Sam Neill's 7.5 acre rocky "Last Chance" vineyard, under bird-nets during the grape-ripening season, is seen mid-picture. Neill acquired the property, located alongside Earnscleugh Road, in 1998 on the recommendation--for its being "Hot!"--of the local winegrowing doyen and rustic Verdun Burgess whose older and internationally famous "Black Ridge" vineyard is located nearby. Top-picture is the willow-bordered Clutha River, with masses of whitish-grey heaped-up century-old gold dredging tailings on both banks. The outskirts of Alexandra, the largest town in Central Otago, is seen at the right top corner of the frame.

Sam Neill's 7.5 acre rocky "Last Chance" vineyard, under bird-nets during the grape-ripening season, is seen mid-picture. Neill acquired the property, located alongside Earnscleugh Road, in 1998 on the recommendation--for its being "Hot!"--of the local winegrowing doyen and rustic Verdun Burgess whose older and internationally famous "Black Ridge" vineyard is located nearby. Top-picture is the willow-bordered Clutha River, with masses of whitish-grey heaped-up century-old gold dredging tailings on both banks. The outskirts of Alexandra, the largest town in Central Otago, is seen at the right top corner of the frame.