GREYWACKE

Greywacke is the Marlborough wine label of the Judd family & the name of New Zealand's most abundant bedrock. Private tastings welcome by prior arrangement.

Established in 2009, Greywacke's minimal-intervention winemaking celebrates season and place, producing wines with personality & individuality. Established in 2009 by the Judd family, Greywacke is a quality focused family winery in the heart of Marlborough's Omaka Valley. Whilst the company now exports its wines all over the world, the ethos remains to ‘keep it simple and hands-on’ with a small, dedicated team running the company from Greywacke HQ. The Greywacke range is primarily based on two varieties, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir; the sauvignon being produced in two distinctly different styles. Limited releases of chardonnay, riesling and pinot gris complement the line-up. The fruit is sourced from mature vineyards in prime viticultural sites to optimise the potential afforded by Marlborough’s sunny South Pacific climate. Kevin Judd’s signature vineyard photographs provide the distinctive identity of the Greywacke labels.

17/09/2026

To all appearances, the Greywackers like to think they swan along quite gracefully 😂 but under the surface, there’s a fair bit of paddling going on.

Chris and Sue keep things moving, from marketing, hosting and travel to finance, logistics and production.

Between them, there’s formidable knowledge, humour and an ability to make the rest of us look like we know what we’re doing

📷 .briggs.794

10/09/2026

Winter is over and we’re looking forward to longer days and warmer weather.

With the arrival of spring, grapevines begin to wake from their winter slumber. Chardonnay and pinot noir are among the first to stir, as fuzzy buds begin to swell and leaves unfurl.

But the anticipation of another growing season comes with some nerves. Emerging shoots are incredibly vulnerable to the cold. A frost or sudden cold snap can significantly impact the season ahead. Protecting these precious first shoots is key - which explains the familiar din of frost fans or helicopters over Marlborough’s vineyards at this time of year.

📷.judd.54

03/09/2026

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2025 is nearing the end of its time in the winery cellars, with bottling set to take place in the coming weeks.

After 11 months in French oak barrels (mainly old) from – our sole cooperage since day one – it will have a further six months to rest in bottle before it's ready for release.

Seems a fitting time to acknowledge Tonnellerie de Mercurey’s long-standing support of New Zealand’s Young Winemaker of the Year programme.

Congratulations to Marlborough’s Nick Lamain of for taking out this year’s title.

📷 .judd.54

25/08/2026

Where the magic happens. Located in the heart of the Omaka Valley, Greywacke HQ is part of the landscape that inspires every vintage.

📷 Jakub Lampart

18/08/2026

Today we celebrate Pinot Noir in all its quiet complexity.

Few varieties speak as clearly of place as Pinot Noir. Greywacke Pinot Noir 2023 is a true reflection of the sites in which it grows - Southern Valleys hillside clays and aspect deliver fruit with structure and poise, tannic complexity and purity of flavour.

Brooding aromas of damson plum and boysenberry are layered with cocoa bean, white pepper and subtle earthiness. The generous palate reveals even more – dark chocolate-dipped cherries, black liquorice and to***co, supported by bright acidity and supple tannins.

On International Pinot Noir Day, we raise a glass to a variety that is elegant, expressive and endlessly fascinating.

13/08/2026

We are thrilled with the generous praise our 2023 Wild Sauvignon has received from recently.

Among the highlights, Anne Krebiehl MW described: “Lovely bright notions of citrus imbued with smokiness and supple fruit within a zesty texture. Smooth and full.”

Freddy Bulmer appreciated it’s “nice flinty character, good focus and ample concentration in the glass”, noting the “really impressive structure and lovely vibrant fruit on the mid-palate. Finishes beautifully and so many layers of flavour.”

Roger Jones was more laconic, but identified “Ginger and spice, fresh, uplifting and clean-cut. Flinty and refreshing.”

The wine received 95 points - which is very pleasing given the calibre of those who reviewed it!

27/07/2026

We are excited to introduce our newest Greywacker, Kate Clark. Born and raised in Wellington, Kate saw the light and moved south with her family in 2019. The wine industry promptly lured her in, providing opportunities to apply her communications and marketing skills in a new field. Before long she was hooked and signed up to study winemaking and viticulture.

As Marketing Manager, Kate combines her love of storytelling and strategy with an industry she is genuinely passionate about. When she is not discussing the finer points of punctuation with Kevin, Kate can be found enthusiastically watching her children’s sport, walking Sonny the Staffy, attempting to play golf, or propagating houseplants.

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17/07/2026

At this time of year, Marlborough mornings often look like this.

A crisp, frosty start to the day, before the winter sun comes out to warm us up—slightly.

While it may be cold underfoot, we welcome a good frost. Following harvest, the vines shed their leaves and enter dormancy, ceasing active growth. During this time, they rely on the energy stored throughout the growing season to replenish their reserves, maintaining long-term health and balance.

This essential winter rest lays the foundation for another great vintage.

📷 Kevin Judd

09/07/2026

What a thrill to see Kevin being honoured for his contribution to New Zealand wine and photography by New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), who have named him a Fellow in their annual honours list.

The Fellows are a peer-nominated group of “highly respected and influential individuals whose leadership, innovation, hard work and passion have helped shape the success of the New Zealand wine industry”.

A true pioneer of New Zealand wine, Kevin helped shape Marlborough's story as the first winemaker at Cloudy Bay before founding Greywacke. While his influence on the industry is immense, those who know him know he's always let the wines and his photography do the talking.

This recognition couldn't be more deserved. Congratulations, Kevin, on a remarkable achievement and fitting honour.

📸 Jamie Goode

08/06/2026

With chilly Marlborough evenings on the increase, the Greywackers are reaching for wines with richness and complexity. Having now enjoyed 20 months in bottle, the 2023 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are becoming hard to resist. ⁠
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Don't take our word for it though; check out these excerpts from Shanteh Wale's reviews in Halliday Wine Companion instead...⁠
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Greywacke Chardonnay 2023⁠
"A powerful chardonnay, with every aspect singing in harmony. Flavours echo for long moments. A wine you’ll remember and wish you bought more of. 95 Points."⁠
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Greywacke Pinot Noir 2023⁠
"Beautifully fragrant, this opens with fresh violets and just-picked cherries... well packaged as a whole, slinky, juicy and with just enough savoury turned-earth tones to anchor the oak spice. 95 Points." ⁠
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Follow the link below for the full reviews…
Halliday Wine Companion

🔗 https://bit.ly/4xf8WW0

Address

47 Kennedys Road
Blenheim
7272

Telephone

+6435725425

Website

http://www.greywacke.com/

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