Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc is an iconic vintage from Marlborough , New Zealand's flagship region and a true global benchmark for the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. It is produced by Kevin Judd , renowned oenologist and founder of the Greywacke estate and formerly of Cloudy Bay. The vines are planted on the stony, well-drained soils of the Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys , exposed to a cool maritime climate that ensures slow and optimal ripening of the grapes.

The grapes are harvested by hand , then gently pressed before fermentation mainly in stainless steel vats, with a small proportion in neutral oak barrels to bring roundness and complexity. This approach preserves the natural aromatic intensity of the Sauvignon while adding a subtle depth. Aging on fine lees for several months reinforces the texture and richness on the palate.

On tasting, this Sauvignon Blanc seduces with its intense aromas of lime, passion fruit, gooseberry , fresh grass and grapefruit zest . On the palate, the attack is lively, carried by a sharp acidity , followed by a silky texture and a saline and mineral finish.

Introduced in 1819, vine growing was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there from January 1838 onwards to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After setbacks caused first by phylloxera and then by the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, when their area doubled.



Today, New Zealand has 10 main wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are much closer than that (with the exception of the semi-continental Central Otago region). A spine of mountains running down the centre of the country shields most of the main wine regions from the strong westerly winds off the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties". Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast.



The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it is no coincidence that New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its emblem, just like its sheep, its kiwis and its legendary haka!