Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Region and Vineyards

Marlborough's cool, very sunny climate—shielded by mountain ranges and refreshed by coastal influences—encourages long, dry ripening and vividly aromatic fruit. The Wairau Valley's former riverbed brings free-draining gravels and alluvium, while the nearby Awatere and the Southern Valleys contribute cooler edges and later harvest dates. This variability enables blending for balance and complexity in Sauvignon Blanc, from citrus-zesty to herb-laced profiles with bracing acidity.

Greywacke sources fruit from Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura on the central Wairau Plains, where young alluvials hold abundant greywacke river stones, and from the denser clay-loams of the Southern Valleys. Vines are largely VSP-trained (two- or three-cane), with some Scott Henry canopies—choices that balance sunlight, airflow and flavour development while preserving acidity. The result is a vivid yet composed Marlborough style with pinpoint definition.

Winemaking

Harvested mostly by machine during cool—often cold—nights over a three-week span beginning 16 March, the fruit arrived swiftly at the Omaka Valley winery. Gentle pressing yielded a modest cut of pristine juice, cold-settled and racked for stainless-steel fermentations with selected yeasts to protect aromatics and linearity. Individual vineyard batches rested on lees until late June for palate silk and subtle savoury nuance before blending.

Bottled in early August to lock in freshness. Key analytics: 13.5% alcohol, pH 3.17, total acidity 6.9 g/L. The approach emphasises fruit purity and drive while adding a discreet textural weave—Marlborough precision with a calmer, more elegant register.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with glints of green; bright and limpid.
• Aroma: Honeydew and orange blossom lift from the glass, threaded with fresh herb-garden notes; citrus zest and a steely cassis impression suggest blackcurrant leaf purity.
• Palate: Juicy lemon and cool-toned currant flavours run along a taut, mineral line; a supple, generously textured mid-palate shows hints of pastis/anise and meadow flowers. Long, bright, and finely structured.

Did you know?

Greywacke takes its name from New Zealand's ubiquitous greywacke—the hard, grey sandstone that litters Marlborough's riverbeds and underpins the alluvial soils of Rapaura and Renwick. Those stones are a defining feature of the region's vineyards.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Goat's cheese & herbs: The wine's citrus-herbal cut slices through creaminess while echoing green flavours.
• Thai green curry with prawns: Zesty acidity and cool herbal notes refresh and lift coconut richness and aromatics.
• Grilled asparagus with lemon & almonds: Linear acidity and subtle anise complement vegetal bitterness and nutty crunch.
• Fresh oysters, classic mignonette: Saline snap and citrus brightness accentuate briny sweetness and cleanse the palate.

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.