One Landmark Sauvignon Blanc Released by the 13 Wineries of Durbanville Wine Valley

The inaugural vintage of a milestone Sauvignon blanc wine has been released by the 13 wineries of the Durbanville Wine Valley that supplied the grapes for its making. While collaborations of this scale are rare, it is the region’s reputation for pioneering and award-winning Sauvignon blanc that makes this an outstanding contribution to the pantheon of South African wine.

The cool, two ocean-influenced climate of the Durbanville Wine Valley is ideal for the slow and flavourful development of wine grapes, particularly Sauvignon blanc. It is for this reason that Durbanville is one of oldest and most favoured wine regions at the Cape, consistently taking top international honours for Sauvignon blanc in particular.

The launch of the 2022 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc took place just days before International Sauvignon Blanc Day.

Wineries that contributed to this collaborative Sauvignon Blanc include: Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, Canto, D’Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Groot Phesantekraal, Klein Roosboom, Maastricht, Meerendal, Nitida, and Signal Gun.

This year's wine was made by veteran winemaker Charles Hopkins and Morgan Steyn of De Grendel Wine Estate and Restaurant. Charles Hopkins called it a “truly remarkable wine for the support and genuine enthusiasm that fruit was contributed by wineries of the valley”.

“From the start, everyone grasped the significance of showcasing the quality and image of Durbanville Sauvignon blanc,” he says. Contributing to the project were leading industry service providers Inbox Packaging, RAM Labels and the company that realised its standout appearance - Bravo Design.

The label highlights the many facets of Durbanville, with the vineyards and wine grapes as centrepiece alongside proteas – South Africa’s national flower as well as an indicator of nature-aligned viticulture.

The region’s Dutch heritage is reflected in images of the historic Dutch Reformed Church, 1840 Onze Molen windmill and Cape Dutch homestead, as well as the Delft-blue rendering. Its proximity and link with the Cape are depicted through the view of Table Mountain, but also cannons traditionally used to signal local farmers that trading ships had arrived at Table Bay.

The association with agriculture also emerges in the tractor, grape harvesting, and pumpkins with the latter also a reference to the region’s original name. Pampoenkraal (Pumpkin Kraal) hails from Afrikaans, which is further represented in the word “oesjaar”, meaning vintage.

Together, the elements speak of a rich heritage that has emerged from generational know how and a history of sustainable farming. Together, they speak of a vibrant community eager and proud to show the wine contained within.

The flavour and aromatic character of Durbanville Sauvignon blanc generally falls in two camps - briny and tropical fruit – and is determined by the inner and outer valley location of producers. Together, they have produced a sublime wine ambassador for the region and indeed, South Africa.

The 2022 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc shows typical characters of a young, unwooded Durbanville Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It is pale yellow in colour. Aromas of yellow apple, unripe pear, granadilla and blackcurrant. Still very youthful and vibrant with freshness. It is bone dry wine with an alcohol of 13.5%.

The winemaker’s notes describe it as being particularly full on the palate and suggest the wine as a wonderful aperitif or accompaniment to seafood, salad, pasta, and even light meat dishes.

The inaugural 2022 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc is available at the tasting rooms of the Durbanville Wine Valley and Tops @ Spar stores around Durbanville. It may also be purchased online via www.durbanvillewine.co.za.

The wine retails for around R110/bottle.