Greywacke

Greywacke is the Marlborough label of Kevin Judd, and the fulfilment of a long held dream. The name Greywacke was adopted by Kevin and his wife Kimberley for their first Marlborough vineyard located in Rapaura, named in recognition of the high prevalence of rounded greywacke river stones in the soils of the vineyard. Kevin registered the name back in 1993 with the vague notion that he might one day want to use it on a wine label of his own.

This quality focused winemaking venture sources fruit from mature vineyards within the central Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys. These prime viticultural sites are cultivated using yield restricting vineyard management techniques and intense canopy management regimes. A number of the vineyards are owned by the Sutherland family, while complementary grape parcels are acquired from additional select sites, all located within these sub -regions.

The wines are made by Kevin at Dog Point Winery in the lower Brancott Valley, a facility extended to him by long-standing friends and industry colleagues, Ivan Sutherland and James Healy. The Greywacke portfolio is primarily based on two varieties, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, the sauvignon blanc being produced in two distinctly different styles. In addition to this core range of three wines, there are also limited edition releases of chardonnay, and three aromatic varieties – pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer.

Greywacke follows a minimal-intervention winemaking philosophy, aiming to create wines that are unique and full of personality. They utilise wild yeast fermentations to add savoury elements to the flavour profile and enhance the structure and mouthfeel of the wines. The range of wines primarily includes sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, with two distinct styles of sauvignon blanc. They also offer limited releases of chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris, and botrytis wines.

Greywacke wines, including Sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling, pinot noir, and Botrytis wines, are known for their concentration of flavour, harmonious balance, and individuality. With a commitment to quality and a focus on showcasing Marlborough’s terroir, Greywacke continues to produce exceptional wines enjoyed by wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Kevin Judd is one of Marlborough’s pioneer winemakers whose career is intrinsically linked with the global profile of New Zealand wine. Kevin was born in England and grew up in Australia, where he studied winemaking at Roseworthy College and first made wine at Reynella in South Australia.

He moved to New Zealand in 1983 and joined Selaks Wines. Subsequently, he became the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay, a pivotal role during which he directed the company’s first 25 vintages. In 2009 he established his own label, Greywacke, named after New Zealand’s prolific bedrock. Alongside winemaking, Kevin has developed a parallel career in photography. For over two decades his evocative images have appeared in countless publications worldwide.

His first book was the The Colour of Wine, a photographic essay on the vineyards of Marlborough. His second book The Landscape of New Zealand Wine was published in 2009 to considerable acclaim. Kevin and Kimberley live in the Omaka Valley overlooking Marlborough’s picturesque vineyards, the inspiration for both his passions.