Fulfilling a long held dream

11 Sep 2022
Wine labels of the Greywacke range

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 of New Zealand and it is these prime viticultural sites that 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 gewürztraminer.

Kevin’s signature vineyard photographs provide the unmistakable identity of the Greywacke range.  As our Carol explains, “Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc is not just a brilliant wine but is made by a very talented photographer too, reflected in the stylish brand that is now feted around the world.”