South Africa’s premier white wine showcase is celebrating a landmark anniversary as the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition officially announces its 20 finalists. Marking its 20th edition, South Africa’s only competition dedicated solely to Sauvignon Blanc attracted 159 entries from 95 top producers across the country.
A Milestone for South African Wine
Reaching 20 years represents a major milestone for both the competition and the category as a whole. According to Elunda Basson, Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, two decades of the Top 10 provide a valuable record of how South African winemakers have continually pushed boundaries and elevated the cultivar.
The 20 finalist wines reflect remarkable diversity, bridging three distinct vintages—11 from 2025, seven from 2026, and two from 2024—and showcasing microclimates ranging from Constantia and Elgin to Walker Bay, Breedekloof, and the Cape West Coast.
Mastery of Oak and Versatility
Judged by an expert panel convened by oenologist Dr Carien Coetzee, the shortlist highlights the evolving versatility of local Sauvignon Blanc.
A key storyline in this year’s lineup is the rise of wooded expressions. Exactly half of the top 20 finalists incorporate oak, ranging from barrel-aged components to tank-fermented wines with minor portions of older oak. Coetzee noted that judges were particularly impressed by how winemakers used oak with restraint to build texture and structural dimension without masking the grape’s fresh, natural fruit profile.
Technological innovation also played a key role during judging. Through partnerships with French technology company Winespace and Tonnellerie Sylvain, the panel utilized the TASTEE platform for real-time scoring, alongside the newly established Sauvignon Blanc Aroma Wheel developed with Stellenbosch University’s SAGWRI.
The 20 Finalists
- Carmen Stevens Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape Town
- De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape West Coast
- Diemersdal The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Durbanville
- Escape Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (wooded) – Walker Bay
- Fryer’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Cape Coastal Region
- Goedverwacht Great Expectations Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Robertson Valley
- Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (wooded) – Darling
- Groot Phesantekraal Marizanne 2024 (wooded) – Cape Town
- Groot Phesantekraal Marizanne 2025 (wooded) – Cape Town
- Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Elgin
- Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Cape Coastal Region
- La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape South Coast
- Le Grand Domaine Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (unwooded) – Stellenbosch
- Lomond Seven Rows Ben Nevis Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape Agulhas
- Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Breedekloof
- Quoin Rock Nicobar Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Western Cape
- Rietvallei Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Robertson Valley
- Steenberg Black Swan 2025 (unwooded) – Constantia
- Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (unwooded) – Elgin
- Wildeberg Terroirs Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (unwooded) – Stellenbosch
What Happens Next
The ultimate winners will be revealed on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the official FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 awards.
Wine lovers can also look forward to The Story of Sauvignon Blanc masterclass on Thursday, 8 October, at the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Led by Kleine Zalze cellarmaster RJ Botha, the tasting event includes a copy of the new coffee-table book featuring 100 industry stories.
