Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – Probably New Zealand’s most iconic premium Sauvignon Blanc, made by Kevin Judd, formerly of Cloudy Bay fame.
Deliciously aromatic with scents of honeydew melon and orange blossom, delicately infused with herb botanicals. A bright expression of Sauvignon Blanc, with juicy lemon and steely cassis flavours and a generously textured palate garnished with a flourish of pastis and wildflowers. It is a wine with impressive structure and depth.
Fruit was sourced from prime vineyards in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys and the central Wairau Plains (specifically Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura). Soil types vary from the young alluvial soils of Rapaura and Renwick, which contain high proportions of New Zealand’s ubiquitous greywacke river stones, to the older and denser clay-loams of the Southern Valleys. Most of the vineyards were trained using the divided Scott Henry canopy management system, with the balance on a two- or three-cane vertical shoot positioning trellis.
Greywacke was created in 2009 by Kevin Judd, chief winemaker at Cloudy Bay from its inception for 25 years and instrumental in the international recognition which Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc enjoys now. The name ‘Greywacke’ was adopted by Kevin for his first Marlborough vineyard located in Rapaura in recognition of the high prevalence of rounded greywacke river stones in the soils of the vineyard, a sedimentary rock which is widely found in Marlborough. Kevin Judd is also New Zealand’s finest wine photographer and has recently published a book ‘The Landscape of New Zealand Wine’.
A relatively dry winter was followed by unsettled spring conditions, including isolated frosts. Minimal damage was sustained, but the intermittent cold nights continued well into spring, disrupting flowering and causing low berry numbers and millerandage (uneven berry size) in some varieties. As summer progressed, El Niño brought its signature warm, dry conditions. Extremely low rainfall was recorded throughout the summer, to the point of a drought being declared in mid-March. Bunch numbers were low across the region from the outset and the hot, dry summer condensed berry size, so reduced yields were inevitable. Fortunately the loose bunches reduced disease risk and resulted in immaculately clean, ripe fruit. Sauvignon Blanc ripeness levels were excellent across all sites. Cooler nights in February stretched out the ripening and led to wonderfully crisp acidity. 2024 saw pristine fruit with generous depth of flavour.
To see our range of Greywacke product, go to the web page
Find out more about Greywacke by visiting their website
Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
£22.00 a bottle
Out of stock
Greywacke (pronounced Greywacky) is the Marlborough label of the Judd family and the name of New Zealand’s
most abundant bedrock. These understated grey river stones are found throughout Marlborough’s rivers and
alluvial vineyard soils. Established in 2009, Greywacke is truly a family affair and while the company now exports its
wines all over the world, the ethos is very much ‘keep it simple and hands-on’ with a small, dedicated team running
the company from Greywacke HQ in the heart of Marlborough’s Omaka Valley. The fruit is sourced from mature
vineyards in prime viticultural sites to optimise the potential afforded by Marlborough’s sunny South Pacific climate.
All vineyards are sustainably managed with substantial and increasing proportions coming from organically farmed
sites. Crop levels are restricted to enhance concentration of flavour and a long, cool growing season produces fruit
with incredible varietal intensity and bright, natural acidity. Meticulous canopy management regimes are employed
to provide sufficient fruit exposure to deliver ripeness of flavour, textural richness and optimum acid balance.
Greywacke is accredited with AMW status (Appellation Marlborough Wine), ensuring provenance, authenticity
and integrity
This website uses Cookies to improve your browsing experience. View Cookies Policy
I'm fine with this