A HOLLYWOOD actor has added a drop of stardom to an independent wine shop in the Ribble Valley after he popped in for a visit.

Jurassic Park star Sam Neill has long been producing wine for his family and friends in New Zealand and has recently started exporting it commercially to the UK.

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After the Whalley Wine Shop picked up on stock the actor, who is also known for his turns in The Hunt for Red October, Merlin and The Piano, decided to pay the shop a personal visit.

Run by former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School student Tom Jones and his partner Jen Nott, the King Street store is set to celebrate its fifth anniversary next month.

Tom, 29, said: “He produces premium wines and they more than stack up against others that we stock.

“They are high quality and they have gained a reputation not just because of Sam Neill’s own fame.

“It’s always a privilege to speak with any wine producer and he was very passionate and knowledgeable.

“It was great to hear him speak and to have him visit the shop was a thrill.

“I’m a fan of his films and my favourite has to be Jurassic Park as I grew up with that film but I resisted the temptation to talk about them.”

During the visit, the shop bought stock of two wines produced at Mr Neill’s vineyard, Two Paddocks which is based in Central Otago in New Zealand.

Tom said that The Two Paddocks Pinot Noir and the Two Paddocks First Paddock have been selling well since being introduced to the shop.

Starting in 1993, Mr Neill wanted to produce pinot noir that would be enjoyed by his family and friends.

His first vintage in 1997 surpasses expectations despite a difficult growing season and the positive trend continued into the 2000s.

Tom, who also attended Longridge High School while he grew up in Ribchester, said: “He was in Manchester filming criminal gang drama Peaky Blinders and the company which promotes his wines in the UK gave us a call.

“They said that he would be available to pay us a visit and of course we said yes.

“His wines have been doing well so far in the shop and the feedback that we have had from customers has been really positive.

“It would be great if he could come back one day and maybe hold a question and answer session with some of our customers.”