Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Greywacke (pronounced grey-wacky) is a small, family-owned winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, founded in 2009 by pioneering winemaker Kevin Judd and his wife Kimberley. The winery is named after the prolific grey river stones found throughout the region's alluvial vineyard soils.

• WINEMAKER:  Kevin Judd and Richelle Tyney

• FARMING: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certified. A substantial and growing proportion of the fruit is sourced from certified organic sites, with the long-term goal of reaching 100% organic certification. Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) certified.

• VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

• TERROIR: Greywacke's terroir is defined by the unique interplay between two distinct Marlborough sub-regions—the Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys—and the iconic greywacke river stones that give the winery its name.

• VINIFICATION: grapes are primarily machine-harvested during cool night-time conditionsto preserve aromatic integrity. Primarily fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures using cultured yeast to maintain vibrant fruitiness. However, approximately 10% of the juice is allowed to undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts to add a savory dimension.

• AGING: The wine is kept on its fine lees in tanks (and a portion in neutral barrels) until late May or June. This contact builds a creamy mouthfeel and mid-palate weight.

• TASTING NOTES: A vibrant, perfumed medley of yellow-fleshed peach, rock melon, and blackcurrant, with floral undertones of chamomile and rose petal. Generous and opulent, featuring flavors of honeydew melon and white nectarine balanced by savory notes of crushed seashells and a chalky, mineral core. A succulent and long finish, characterized by a refreshing lemon-sherbet zing.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: seafood and shellfish, goat's cheese (chèvre), asparagus, salads, green curry with prawns, lemongrass chicken, or fresh spring rolls with lime, Chicken Piccata. 

• SCORES: 93 – James Suckling