A couple of months ago, we had the fortune to visit one of our favorite New Zealand wineries, Greywacke. We have been fans of Greywacke Sauvignon Blancs for years, so a visit to their headquarters highlighted our trip. We learned about their storied history, and tasted five excellent wines in their portfolio. These wines are the focus of this second post in a two-part series.
Part 1 delved into Greywacke’s story, and its owner and talented winemaker, Kevin Judd. Understandably, harvest kept Kevin busy during our visit. Instead, his knowledgeable and entertaining wife and co-owner, Kimberley, poured five stellar wines for us. We recommend them all.
Greywacke Wines
The Greywacke portfolio is primarily based on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, with the Sauv Blanc crafted in two distinctly different styles. In addition, Kevin produces limited edition releases of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. We tasted five of the seven current releases.
Greywacke Sauvignon Blancs
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough fruit brings lemon, grapefruit and stone fruit flavors to this zesty, vibrant, crisp and dry Sauvignon Blanc. Kevin’s winemaking style is fleshier than some, which results in a mouth-filling, multi-layered and finely balanced wine. Plus, the stainless steel fermentation provides minerality and a freshness that we prefer. Kevin produces the highest volume of this popular, classic Sauv Blanc – 25,000 cases, compared to 5,000 for the unique Wild Sauvignon.
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2016
We love this savory, funky “wild child” Sauvignon Blanc, which stands out from the more classic styles. The grapes are fermented in old oak barrels using wild yeast, bringing depth, lushness and an herbal complexity. Rich, flinty and age-worthy, this is one impressive wine. According to Kimberley, “this is not a coifing wine. On a warm summer day, pair it with seafood, richer sauces, chicken, pork and red meat.”
Other Greywacke Wines
Greywacke Chardonnay 2015
This is one of the best Chardonnays we have ever tasted. The grapes were handpicked, and the juice was fermented with 100% wild yeast in French oak barrels. This wine features grapefruit flavors, accents of hazelnuts, minerality, and a savory, smoky complexity. Opulence combines with flintiness and a citrus profile. According to Kimberley, the grapes are primarily from a Mendoza clone, known for its concentration of flavor and crisp acidity. We applaud this distinct and lovely Chardonnay.
Greywacke Pinot Gris 2016
Full-bodied, yet crisp, this Pinot Gris is meant to be paired with spicy foods. Rich, textured and balanced, its ripe stone fruit flavors have an underlying minerality and again, a smoky, savory complexity, which we have come to think of as Kevin’s style. Of note, this off-dry wine is has a bit of residual sugar and is high in alcohol (14.4%), with a long and luscious finish and a slight hint of sweetness.
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2016
Oh my, the nose on this Pinot Noir is pretty. Ruby in color, this fragrant wine features red and black fruit with earthy, smoky nuances. In addition, this Pinot Noir is bigger, bolder and more vibrant than many other New Zealand versions. Meanwhile, the wine is finely structured, with layers of complexity, flavors and textures — a beautiful Pinot Noir, which will get even better with age. We brought home a bottle, which we plan to pair with salmon or Thanksgiving turkey.
Summary
We were very fortunate to taste through this amazing lineup of Greywacke wines during our visit to their headquarters in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. As mentioned, we are long-time fans of Greywacke Sauv Blancs, but now we also recommend their other three wines that we tried.
Thankfully, Greywacke wines are available in the U.S., Canada and other countries. With summer now upon us, these refreshing wines will be frequently served on our deck and our table.
Many thanks to Kimberley and Kevin for providing such a wonderful experience for us during our remarkable trip to Greywacke.
Cheers!
Margot and Dave