Renowned for its versatility and the way it reflects place, style and the winemaker’s hand, South African Sauvignon Blanc is one of the country’s most expressive cultivars – from crisp coastal classics to complex, age-worthy styles.
“Considering that our Sauvignon Blanc Aroma Wheel includes 72 flavours, one day is simply too short to explore its full versatility,” says Elunda Basson, Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA and Cellar Master of Steenberg Vineyards.
“Pour a glass, download the free aroma wheel from our website, and explore where your favourite wines sit within the 72 flavours. Make #SauvBlancDay your own – from gatherings on your stoep to visits to your favourite wine farms – and discover the incredible diversity our producers have to offer. Follow us on social media for events, tastings and lekker competitions throughout May, and share your #SauvBlancDay moments.”
Join #SauvBlancDay at Suidoosterfees in Cape Town, the Winelands and beyond
In 2026, International Sauvignon Blanc Day coincides with the Worker’s Day long weekend and the vibrant Suidoosterfees in Cape Town. In the spirit of this year’s theme, Home, Sauvignon Blanc SA will bring the story of the cultivar to life through tasting experiences at the Nasdak venue on the Foreshore. These 90-minute sessions include a guided tasting with a paired bite (R250 per person via Webtickets):
Kelderklas-wynproe
Thursday, 30 April at 18h30 BOOK TICKETS
Join J.P. Quickelberge (VIA’s Kelderklas) for an exclusive #SauvBlancDay tasting.
FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10-proe
Friday, 1 May at 13h00 BOOK TICKETS
Lukas Wentzel (Groote Post) explores terroir through six exceptional wines.
Die wynmeester: Kom proe saam
Friday, 1 May at 18h30 BOOK TICKETS
Danie van der Merwe (Die Wynmeester), alongside winemakers Hagen Viljoen (Zevenwacht), Mosima Mabeledele (Le Grand Domaine) and Jean Nel (Cederberg), shares insights into winemaking and Sauvignon Blanc’s many expressions.
Durbanville Sauvignon Soirée
Friday, 8 May, 17h00–20h00 BOOK TICKETS
Join the Durbanville Wine Valley at Cassia, Nitida Wine Estate, for an evening of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc and live music. Enjoy unlimited tastings from 12 Durbanville producers, plus a selection of others, including aged Sauvignon Blancs showcasing cellaring potential. Tickets: R260 via Quicket.
A cultivar with a story to tell
For those wanting to delve deeper, The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc is a coffee-table book about the people, places and philosophies behind the cultivar. The book features 60 producers and regional overviews of Sauvignon Blanc areas, making it both a collector’s item and a practical guide. The book is available at www.sauvignonblanc.com, selected wineries and key events in May, including the Stoep Tastings in Graaff-Reinet and Nieu-Bethesda, as well as the Netwerk24 and Die Burger Wine Festival at Meerendal Wine Estate.
In the spirit of #SauvBlancDay, we share insights from the book, where leading voices behind the wines are united by a common thread – passion, place and a deep belief in the potential of Sauvignon Blanc:
“We predict in the future people will drink less, but drink better. Sauvignon Blanc – made with spontaneous fermentations, barrel ageing and alternative styles – is therefore in a prime position.” – Neil Ellis, Neil Ellis Wines, Helshoogte
“I want people to drink my wines and think of these mountain ranges, unique and untouched.”
– David Nieuwoudt, Cederberg Wines, The Cederberg
“My philosophy when it comes to wine is to keep it simple and act as a translator for the terroir, especially when making Sauvignon Blanc.” – Morgan Steyn, De Grendel Wines, Durbanville
“The goal is not to chase a style; rather, it is to let the site express itself.” – Matthew Day, Klein Constantia, Constantia
“We need to be bold enough to experiment more with the cultivar – to give it a bit more ‘benefit of the doubt’ and trust that it can express itself in various ways.” – Trizanne Barnard, Trizanne Signature Wines, Elim
“Perhaps the future generations will look back at what we did on Diemersdal in the 2020s and say the farm’s journey with Sauvignon Blanc was then only beginning.” – Thys Louw, Diemersdal, Durbanville
“Our Sauvignon Blanc is a wine for sunshine, food, the outdoors and celebrating life. Who wouldn’t want to make a wine offering so much joy?” – Nongcebo Langa, Delheim, Simonsberg
“Often dismissed as not ‘serious’ enough, I believe the opposite: its high acidities and low pH give Sauvignon Blanc the potential for complexity and ageing.” – Barbara Melck, Reyneke Wines, Polkadraai Hills
“Lightly toasted oak and extended lees contact are giving rise to a new generation of top Blanc Fumé wines from cooler areas. These wines have excellent ageing potential, with some released only two years after bottling.” – Conrad Vlok, Strandveld Vineyards, Elim
Sauvignon Blanc South Africa extends its appreciation to its partners: Top 10 title partner FNB, platinum partner Ever Solutions SA, as well as Vinventions, Hillebrand Gori (a company of DHL), Famille Sylvain and BeveraTech. For more information, visit 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.
Photo captions:
- Photo 1: The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc – a coffee-table book about the people, places and philosophies behind the cultivar – features 60 producers and regional overviews.
- Photo 2: The South African Sauvignon Blanc Aroma Wheel, available as a free resource at www.sauvignonblanc.com.
- Photo 3: In celebration of International Sauvignon Blanc Day, Danie van der Merwe (Die Wynmeester) will lead a tasting of Sauvignon Blanc’s many expressions at the Suidoosterfees.
- Photo 4: Elunda Basson, Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA and Cellar Master at Steenberg Vineyards
- Photo 5: Sauvignon Blanc SA encourages wine lovers to celebrate #SauvBlancDay throughout May
- Photo 6: On International Sauvignon Blanc Day, Lukas Wentzel of Groote Post Vineyards will present a FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 tasting at the Suidoosterfees