A 90s TV icon has embarked on a new career and now owns a vineyard, shop, restaurant and pub after emigrating to a small village in New Zealand.
He has subsequently announced the ‘first ever vintage’ from his winery in South Island, where he lives with his wife, Liz.
As well as the winery, the TV star also has a shop, restaurant, pub, and café on a £15m estate – and in 2023, sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of ‘colonising’ their idyllic village.
The Deal Or No Deal star has added winemaking to his repertoire at River Haven – his Ngatimoti village, New Zealand estate.
That’s right, it’s Noel Edmonds! He and Liz emigrated permanently to New Zealand in 2019 – and now their vineyard’s first wine is ready for consumption.
A 90s TV icon has embarked on a new career and now owns a vineyard, shop, restaurant and pub after emigrating to a small village in New Zealand
That’s right! Deal Or No Deal star Noel Edmonds, 75, has added winemaking to his repertoire at River Haven – his Ngatimoti village, New Zealand estate, where he lives with wife Liz
Noel took to New Haven’s Instagram account to give the community and visitors the exciting update. He wrote: ‘HUGE NEWS – from this Friday, River Haven will be serving the first ever vintage of our very own Pinot Gris’
Noel took to New Haven’s Instagram account to give the community and visitors the exciting update.
He wrote: ‘HUGE NEWS – from this Friday, River Haven will be serving the first ever vintage of our very own Pinot Gris.
‘This wine is a labour of love from our hardworking team, we’re beyond stoked to finally have it ready for you!
‘A special thanks to our incredible volunteers who helped make this wine a reality.
‘From tomorrow we’ll be reaching out to all of you to share in our wine (please bear with us, there’s a lot of you!). Thank you all so much for your patience so far.
He finished: ‘Again, available from THIS FRIDAY onwards by the glass, bottle or to take home and share…’
Noel and Liz also held a special wine and cheese night at his River Haven clubhouse to celebrate the wine, with dozens of locals joining in.
A piece on River Haven’s website added: ‘The tasting notes are in.
‘The mildly perfumed nose reveals touches of candied pear and soft, warm spice aromas backed up by a long, luscious off-dry palate rich in autumn fruit flavours with hints of ginger and rose petal.
‘More down-to-earth locals have summed it up as “bloody good”. Either way, if that’s not enough to pique your curiosity, we don’t know what will!
‘We hope to have it available online in the near future but for now, you can come and enjoy the wine while taking in the views of the grapes it’s made from.’
Noel and Liz settled in the Ngatimoti area several years ago, snapping up 12 properties worth almost £15m on 270 hectares of land
In 2023, Noel sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of ‘colonising’ their idyllic village (pictured: his shop)
One said: ‘I feel like he’s a coloniser. He’s come in like he’s the lord of the manor’ (pictured: Noel with a ‘His Lordship’ mug)
Regardless, his efforts have been fruitful, which is a far cry from his last major business venture – a motivational phone service for pets
Noel settled in the Ngatimoti area several years ago, snapping up 12 properties worth almost £15m on 270 hectares of land.
The town is already well-known in New Zealand for its annual festival, which generally takes place in October and is attended by thousands of people.
In 2023, he sparked a furious row with residents who accused him of ‘colonising’ their idyllic village.
One said: ‘I feel like he’s a coloniser. He’s come in like he’s the lord of the manor.’
The television star has not helped matters by posing for photos on the estate holding a mug with the slogan ‘His Lordship’.
The resident added: “He’s got this attitude… about how he’s improved the place and made it amazing – it was already amazing.”
Regardless, his efforts have been fruitful, which is a far cry from his last major business venture.
In 2016, following the axing of Deal Or No Deal, Noel shocked the country when he launched a motivational phone service for pets.