Presented by the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group of South Africa (SBIG) and sponsored by FNB Business since 2007, the competition has become the country’s foremost platform for Sauvignon Blanc producers.
The winners that made this year’s coveted list are, in alphabetical order, with region/district and winemaker:
- Boschendal De Werf Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Coastal, Lizelle Gerber
- Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Durbanville, Mari Branders
- Groot Phesantekraal Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Cape Town, Etienne Louw
- Highlands Road Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – Elgin, Vanessa Simkiss
- Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Western Cape, RJ Botha
- Mulderbosch 1 000 Miles Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Wooded) 2015 – Western Cape, Sean Griffiths
- South Hill Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Elgin, Sean Skibbe
- Stellenbosch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – Stellenbosch, Bernard Claassen
- Strandveld Pofadderbosch Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Elim, Conrad Vlok
- Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Blanc Fumé 2016 – Elgin, Karlin Nel
“We are proud to congratulate the talented wine producers who have been bestowed the special honour of being in the Top 10. This prestigious occasion has grown into one of the leading platforms for producers to showcase their innovation. The spirit of innovation is something that not only aligns with the ethos of the FNB brand, but also goes a long way to promoting excellence in wine making,” says Stephan Claassen, Provincial Head of FNB’s Western and Eastern Cape regions.
“As FNB, we believe that our partnership with the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group will go a long way in promoting the global stature of South African wines. We find great value in playing a part in supporting the growth of the wine industry in South Africa through encouraging the local and international development of this sector,” adds Claassen.
The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 winners represent a good spread of leading Sauvignon Blanc producing areas. Elgin led the pack with three listings, while there were two wines from the 2015 vintage and four each from 2016 and 2017. They were judiciously selected from the recently named 20 finalists.
An esteemed panel of judges, representing various sectors of the local wine industry, had the arduous task of evaluating 190 entries by 120 participants and naming the finest Sauvignon Blanc wines in South Africa.
The Top 10 jury comprised Neil Ellis, seasoned winemaker and family estate owner as convener, with leading wine writers and judges Christian Eedes and Samarie Smith, as well as winemakers Kobus Gerber and Wilhelm Pienaar, while Morgan Steyn, Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé, joined by invitation to gain tasting and judging experience.
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