Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Region and Vineyards

The grapes for the Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from select vineyards in Marlborough, primarily from the Southern Valleys and central Wairau Plains, specifically Woodbourne, Renwick, and Rapaura. These vineyards are planted on a variety of soil types:

• In Rapaura and Renwick, the soils are young and alluvial, containing a high proportion of greywacke river stones, which promote excellent drainage and contribute to the wine's bright, vibrant fruit character.
• The Southern Valleys have denser clay-loam soils, adding texture and complexity to the wine.

The vineyards are managed with Scott Henry canopy management and vertical shoot positioning trellises, optimizing sunlight exposure and air circulation for ideal ripening.

Winemaking

The Sauvignon Blanc was harvested largely by machine during the cool night-time hours over a 16-day period. The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and immediately transported to the winery in the Omaka Valley, where they were lightly pressed to obtain a high-quality juice.

The juice was then cold-settled and racked before fermentation, which took place primarily in stainless steel tanks using cultured yeast. Each vineyard batch was kept on its lees until late June to enhance the wine’s texture and complexity. After this, the individual batches were blended and prepared for bottling.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with green highlights.
• Aroma: Enticing aromas of cassis, lemon sorbet, and green mango, with a delicate hint of white pepper spice.
• Palate: The palate is juicy and vibrant, offering flavors of Winter Cole pear, baked apple pie, and elderflower, layered with ripe citrus notes. The wine has a smooth, textural quality, finishing with a refreshing acidity and lingering minerality.
• Finish: Long, clean, and crisp, with a harmonious balance of fruit, spice, and a touch of flinty dryness.

Did You Know?

The name Greywacke is inspired by the greywacke river stones that are found in Marlborough’s vineyards. These stones are a key element in the soils, helping to enhance the drainage and character of the wines. Kevin Judd, the founder of Greywacke, is also New Zealand’s premier wine photographer, and his work often graces the labels of the wines he creates.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Goat cheese salad with citrus dressing: The wine’s fresh acidity and citrus notes balance the creamy tang of goat cheese, while the herbal elements in the salad enhance the wine’s complexity.
• Grilled asparagus with lemon butter: The savory and citrus aspects of the wine complement the earthy flavors of grilled asparagus and the richness of the lemon butter.
• Seared scallops with a herb butter sauce: The tropical fruit and minerality of the wine pair beautifully with the delicate sweetness of the scallops and the richness of the herb butter.
• Sushi with wasabi and soy: The bright acidity and citrus fruit flavors of the wine are a perfect match for the umami of soy sauce and the spice of wasabi.

History of Greywacke Estate

The story of Greywacke begins with Kevin Judd, one of the leading figures in New Zealand's wine industry. Born in England and raised in Australia, Judd moved to New Zealand in 1983 to pursue winemaking. His work as the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay, one of Marlborough’s most famous wineries, catapulted the region to international fame, particularly for its Sauvignon Blanc. Over his 25-year career at Cloudy Bay, Judd helped shape the style of Marlborough’s wines, known for their vibrant acidity and intense fruit flavors.

In 2009, after leaving Cloudy Bay, Judd founded Greywacke as his own independent project, allowing him to focus on crafting wines with a more artisanal, hands-on approach. Initially producing the wines at Dog Point Winery, another notable Marlborough estate, Greywacke became a standalone brand that quickly gained a reputation for quality. Judd named the winery after the greywacke stones that are scattered throughout Marlborough’s vineyards, symbolizing the estate’s deep roots in the local soil.

Greywacke remains a family-run business, with Judd overseeing both the vineyard management and winemaking. His wife, Kimberley, also plays an integral role in the estate’s operations. With a small but dedicated team, Greywacke has established itself as one of Marlborough’s top boutique wineries, producing wines that are both complex and expressive of the region’s terroir.

Region and Vineyards

Greywacke sources its grapes from some of the finest vineyards across Marlborough, focusing on the Southern Valleys and Wairau Plains. The region is New Zealand’s premier wine-growing area, benefiting from a cool maritime climate and long growing season. This combination of climate and geography enables Greywacke to produce wines with intense flavors, vibrant acidity, and a remarkable sense of place.

The Southern Valleys, where Greywacke’s Pinot Noir is primarily sourced, is known for its clay-rich soils, which contribute texture and complexity to the wines. The vineyards here benefit from warmer temperatures, allowing the grapes to achieve full ripeness while maintaining freshness. The Wairau Plains, on the other hand, are characterized by stony, alluvial soils that drain freely and are ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc. These soils, combined with the region’s abundant sunshine, produce wines with bright fruit flavors and crisp acidity.

Greywacke’s vineyards are managed with sustainability at the forefront, and many of the sites are organically farmed. The winery adheres to Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) guidelines, ensuring that its wines meet the highest standards of provenance, quality, and environmental stewardship. Greywacke focuses on low yields to ensure the concentration and quality of the fruit, with hand-harvesting and meticulous vineyard care throughout the growing season.

Wine Range

Greywacke is best known for its iconic Sauvignon Blanc, which combines vibrant tropical fruit flavors with subtle complexity from wild fermentation. The range also includes:

• Wild Sauvignon: A more complex, oak-aged expression of Sauvignon Blanc, fermented with wild yeasts to add depth and texture.
• Pinot Noir: Elegant and structured, Greywacke’s Pinot Noir showcases red fruit, spice, and earthy undertones, reflecting the diverse terroirs of Marlborough.
• Chardonnay: A rich and textured wine with notes of stone fruit, citrus, and integrated oak, made in a style that balances freshness with complexity.
• Riesling and Gewürztraminer: Small-batch aromatic wines that emphasize purity of fruit and vibrant acidity.

Did You Know?

In addition to his winemaking achievements, Kevin Judd is a talented photographer. His passion for photography is often showcased on the Greywacke wine labels, which feature his evocative images of New Zealand’s landscapes. His photography has been exhibited internationally and is the subject of several books, including The Colour of Wine.