For the first time, the story of South Africa’s most popular white wine cultivar has been brought together in a single publication. The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc, a 248-page book, was launched on 11 September 2025 at CapeWine in Cape Town.
The book offers the most complete overview of the cultivar to date, tracing its journey from the first plantings at Groot Constantia in the late 1880s and the release of the first commercial Sauvignon Blanc in 1977, through to the global acclaim it enjoys today. It highlights the history, terroir, and people who have shaped its rise. Some 60 producers are profiled, alongside pioneers such as Danie de Wet, Niel Ellis, Charles Hopkins, Bartho Eksteen and Thys Louw.
A Celebration of Heritage and Innovation
According to Elunda Basson, chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA, the aim was to preserve the history of this champion cultivar as a legacy for future generations. “Sauvignon Blanc produces site-specific wines that reflect both regional character and winemaking intent, with a stylistic range from bright and zesty to layered and age-worthy. This book is an invitation to explore the cultivar in all its diversity.”
Beyond its role as a global ambassador, Sauvignon Blanc sustains livelihoods across the Cape’s rural communities, linking culture, science, and opportunity. The book also covers the producer body Sauvignon Blanc SA, groundbreaking research, and competitions such as the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.
A further highlight is the launch of South Africa’s first Sauvignon Blanc aroma wheel, developed by Stellenbosch University’s SAGWRI, helping wine lovers and winemakers alike to better understand its diversity.
With 1,500 copies already in print, this landmark publication is both a celebration of heritage and proof of South African wine’s enduring excellence.
