Description

Greywacke is an immature, grey sedimentary variety of sandstone, generally found in the Paleozoic strata. Greywacke is noted for its hardness, dark color, and diversity of haphazardly arranged angular grains of quartz, feldspar, and small rock fragments or “lithic fragments” set in a compact, clay-fine compound.

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 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 optimize the potential afforded by Marlborough’s sunny South Pacific climate. One of Marlborough’s primary pioneers, owner and winemaker Kevin Judd was previously the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay.

Harvested largely by machine during cool (often cold) night-time conditions, the sauvignon blanc grapes were picked at ideal ripeness over a 16-day period, commencing 27 March. Transported directly to our winery in the Omaka Valley, fruit was lightly pressed to yield a modest volume of high-quality juice. The juice was cold-settled and racked prior to fermentation, which was primar-ily carried out in stainless steel tanks with cultured yeast. All individual vineyard batches were left on lees until late June, when the blend was assembled.  The wine was bottled in early August with alcohol 13.4%, pH 3.22 and acidity 6.8 g/l.

We can attest this vintage is consistent and without exception to Greywacke’s outstanding track record!!!  Judd’s mastery of the grape captures the class, finesse and elegance possible to achieve in Marlborough.

“This white’s vibrant, aromatic flavors of lemon blossoms, ripe peach, kumquat and lime sherbet show focus and intensity on a smooth, sleek body. Touches of candied ginger and green tea linger on the fresh finish. Drink now.” – 93 points, Wine Spectator (MW)