Elunda Basson, chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA with Stephan Claassen, Provincial Head of FNB Business for Western and Eastern Cape at the South African Sauvignon Blanc book launch.
The book offers the most comprehensive overview of the cultivar to date, painting a colourful picture of the history, people and regions that have shaped Sauvignon Blanc over the decades. Some 60 producers from all the key wine-growing areas are profiled, along with Sauvignon Blanc pioneers such as Danie de Wet, Niel Ellis, Charles Hopkins, Bartho Eksteen and Thys Louw.
According to Elunda Basson, chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA, there has long been a need to record the remarkable growth of the cultivar. “We wanted to preserve the history as a legacy for the next generation – and as a guide for the future,” she says.
The book traces the story and people behind Sauvignon Blanc, from the first plantings at Groot Constantia in the late 1880s and the first commercial Sauvignon Blanc released in 1977, through to the global acclaim it enjoys today. It explores regional diversity, winemaking styles ranging from fresh and exuberant to complex and wooded, and the distinctive terroir that gives this versatile cultivar its unique voice.
Other sections highlight the work of the cultivar group Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, the role of research, and the impact of competitions such as the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. The growing achievements of South African producers on the world stage are also spotlighted. In 2023, South Africa hosted the world’s largest Sauvignon Blanc competition, the Sauvignon Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere and outside Europe – a milestone also recorded in the book.
Another highlight is the launch of South Africa’s first Sauvignon Blanc aroma wheel, developed by researchers at Stellenbosch University and Sauvignon Blanc SA, in collaboration with South Africa Wine and both local and international experts. This practical tool is freely available at www.sauvignonblanc.com and helps winemakers, marketers, educators and wine enthusiasts better understand the stylistic diversity of the cultivar.
Basson emphasises that collaboration is key: “Together we can elevate Sauvignon Blanc even further, set benchmarks for other cultivars, and contribute to the sustainability of our industry and the prosperity of our communities. We are grateful to our Top 10 title partner FNB, our platinum partner EVER, and all our industry partners; without their support, this book would not have been possible.”
The publication not only celebrates the cultivar itself but also honours the people behind it – visionary winemakers, untold stories and the full spectrum of styles that make South African Sauvignon Blanc sought after across the globe.
With more than 1,500 copies already in print, The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc is destined for tasting rooms, cellars and bookshelves worldwide. It serves both as a celebration and as a marketing tool and ambassador for South African wine.
Order Your Sauvignon Blanc Book
The book retails for R495 (plus courier fees). Orders can be placed with Eunice Joubert at info@sauvignonblanc.com or via www.sauvignonblanc.com.
Follow Sauvignon Blanc SA on X (@SauvignonSA), and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn (@sauvignonblancsa) and join the conversation using #SauvignonBlancSA. For more information, contact info@sauvignonblanc.com or 082 808 1114.