Producers of South Africa’s top-selling Sauvignon Blanc cultivar continue to excel, crafting exceptional site-specific wines. In a tightly contested competition, the judging panel of the 2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 awarded wines from seven wards, six districts, and three regions.

Out of 160 wines entered by 91 producers, the 2023 vintage stood out with seven winners in the Top 10. Notably, six of these winning wines are wooded, a style that has been gaining momentum in the 18-year history of this prestigious competition.

Sauvignon Blanc South Africa announced the Top 10 winners on Wednesday, 16 October, at De Meye Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. Hosted by Ryan O’Connor and Success Lekabe, the event featured a unique music and wine quiz, with guests challenged to identify the winning wines from 20 finalists.

2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 Winners

This year’s Top 10, in alphabetical order, are:

1. Alvi's Drift Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (wooded) – Scherpenheuvel, Worcester
2. Cederberg Wines Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2023 (wooded) – Elim, Cape Agulhas
3. Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – Durbanville
4. Flagstone Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Coastal Region
5. Hermanuspietersfontein Kat met die Houtbeen Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (wooded) – Sunday’s Glen, Walker Bay
6. Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – Elgin
7. Lomond Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Cape Agulhas
8. Maastricht The Contour Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (wooded) – Durbanville
9. Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (wooded) – Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch
10. Zevenwacht Z Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (wooded) – Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch

The Top 10 included five winners from the Coastal Region, four from the Cape South Coast, and one from the Breede River Valley. Durbanville, Cape Agulhas, and Stellenbosch districts celebrated two winners each, with one each from Elgin, Sunday’s Glen (Walker Bay), and Scherpenheuvel (Worcester).

Expert Judging Panel

The judging panel was led by Cape Wine Master Dr. Winifred Bowman and included Johann Fourie (Benguela Cove), Dr. Carien Coetzee (Basic Wine), Morgan Steyn (De Grendel Wines), and Mahalia Kotjane (Three Quarter Wines). Protégé judges Kelsey Nel (Hartenberg) and Anke van Zyl (Neil Ellis Wines) also contributed to the evaluations.

Celebrating the Craft of South African Winemaking

RJ Botha, Chairman of Sauvignon Blanc SA, highlighted the versatility and craftsmanship behind the winning wines: “The six wooded winners show our winemakers' craftsmanship in developing texture and adding layers. The excellent performance of the 2023 vintage confirms the aging potential of South African Sauvignon Blanc.” He also thanked partners FNB and EVER Solutions for their continued support.

Stephan Claassen, FNB Commercial’s Provincial Head for the Western and Eastern Cape, congratulated the winners and acknowledged the competition’s role in promoting the global stature of South African wines. He emphasised the impact of supporting the entire wine ecosystem in fostering growth and job creation in the agri sector.

Taste, Buy, and Learn More About the Top 10

• A Top 10 booklet with tasting notes is available for free download at sauvignonblanc.com.
• The 2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 collection can be purchased online via Wine of the Month and at Wine Stellenbosch TOPS.
• A Sauvignon Blanc Seminar and the Sauvignon Blanc SA Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 21 November, at Hazendal Wine Estate.
• For more information, visit sauvignonblanc.com or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 808 1114.
• Join the conversation with #FNBSauvignonBlancSATop10 and follow Sauvignon Blanc SA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as @sauvignonblancsa and on X @SauvignonSA.

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Site-Specific Wines Shine in the 2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10
Discover the top Sauvignon Blanc wines of 2024! Congratulations to the winners who showcased exceptional winemaking talent.

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