When he’s not winning world cups and leading one of the greatest All Blacks teams ever, Richie McCaw also helps save the nation’s precious vineyards.

Last night he put his off-field flying skills to good use in Marlborough, joining helicopter pilots fighting against frosts in the popular wine region.

As the wine-country valley temperatures dipped below freezing, wine makers employed the choppers to create breeze and stop the frost damaging valuable grapes.

McCaw this morning posted a couple of snaps from his night out on his new Facebook page, which has already attracted more than 389,000 likes.

“Spent the early hours of this morning with the boys frost fighting the vineyards in Blenheim #marlborough,” he said.

His fans were quick to praise his piloting.

“Richie, you bring home the Web Ellis Goblet and save our vineyards – could you be any more courageous and brilliant!?” said one.

“My son thinks you are even more cooler when I told him you fly a helicopter too,” added another.

It’s widely thought the Rugby World Cup final was McCaw’s last game for the All Blacks, although he is yet to announce his future plans.

– NZME