South African Sauvignon Blanc has evolved considerably over the past two decades, earning recognition for its quality, stylistic diversity and premium appeal.
The 20th FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition celebrates this progress and pays tribute to a challenging 2025 vintage that delivered exceptional results. The ten winning wines – nine from the 2025 vintage and one from 2026 – demonstrate the cultivar’s versatility and the distinctive character of its growing regions.
Above: The 2026 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 wines. (Photo: Bruce Tuck Photography)
Sauvignon Blanc South Africa announced the ten winners on Wednesday, 14 October, at Weltevreden Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The garden celebration brought together wine, art and music, with masters of ceremonies Ryan O’Connor and Success Lekabe treating guests to a sculpture hunt that culminated in the reveal of the Top 10 from the 20 finalists.
The 2026 competition attracted 159 entries from 95 producers, spanning four vintages. It remains South Africa’s only competition dedicated exclusively to Sauvignon Blanc. Six wooded and four unwooded wines feature in this year’s winning selection, reflecting the breadth of styles being explored by winemakers. Regionally, Cape Town and Elgin are particularly well represented.
The 2026 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10, in alphabetical order, are:
- Carmen Stevens Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape Town, Coastal Region
- De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape West Coast, Coastal Region
- Groot Phesantekraal Marizanne 2025 (wooded) – Cape Town, Coastal Region
- Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2026 (unwooded) – Elgin, Cape South Coast
- La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape South Coast
- Lomond Seven Rows Ben Nevis Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Cape Agulhas, Cape South Coast
- Quoin Rock Nicobar Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (wooded) – Western Cape
- Steenberg Black Swan 2025 (unwooded) – Constantia, Coastal Region
- Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (unwooded) – Elgin, Cape South Coast
- Wildeberg Terroirs Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (unwooded) – Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
“The presence of wooded expressions alongside fresher, unwooded wines shows that South African producers are not tied to a single formula,” says oenologist Dr Carien Coetzee, who convened the 2026 judging panel. “Winemakers are exploring texture and complexity while retaining the vibrancy that makes Sauvignon Blanc so appealing. Across all styles, these wines share precision, clear varietal character and a strong sense of place. Together, they confirm what many of us suspected: that 2025 was an exceptional year for Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa.”
Dr Coetzee led an expert panel comprising Dr Winifred Bowman, Cape Wine Master and international judge; Anton Swarts, Cape Wine Master, procurement manager and senior winemaker at Spier Wine Estate; Morgan Steyn, winemaker at De Grendel Wine Estate and Sauvignon Blanc SA committee member; Johann Fourie, cellarmaster at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate; and Cape Winemakers Guild protégés Reneilwe Senosha and Marché Hendricks as guest judges.
Above: The 2026 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 recipients were announced by Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, FNB, and Ever Solutions on 14 October at Weltevreden Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Back from left are Success Lekabe (Master of Ceremonies), Schalk Opperman (Quoin Rock), JD Rossouw (Wildeberg), Stephan Claassen (FNB), Stuart Botha (Tokara), Brent Claassens (Ever Solutions), Jean Nel (Iona), Edwin Grace (La Motte), Ryan O’Connor (Master of Ceremonies), Richard Schroeder (Groot Phesantekraal), Bennie Hamman (Ever Solutions). Front from left is Thabile Cele (Steenberg), Carmen Stevens (Carmen Stevens), Anné van Heerden (Lomond), Nicole Camara (De Grendel) and Elunda Basson (Sauvignon Blanc SA Chairperson). (Photo: A Gorman Photography).
20 years of growing the category
“This 20th edition of the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 is an opportunity to recognise how far South African Sauvignon Blanc has progressed,” says Elunda Basson, Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA. “Over two decades, the competition has helped producers showcase their wines, explore new possibilities and build recognition for the quality and diversity of our cultivar. As producers continue to refine their craft and push stylistic boundaries, we are broadening perceptions of what South African Sauvignon Blanc can be.
“This milestone belongs to the producers who continue to raise the bar and to our partners, whose support enables us to invest in the reputation and future of South African Sauvignon Blanc. We extend our sincere thanks to our title partner, FNB, our platinum partner, EVER Solutions, and all our other partners. We look forward to the next twenty years of discovery, diversity and distinction.”
Stephan Claassen, FNB Commercial’s Provincial Head for the Western and Eastern Cape, congratulated the winners and highlighted the value of long-term collaboration between business and agriculture.
“Over the past 20 years, our partnership with Sauvignon Blanc SA has reflected a shared commitment to innovation, excellence and long-term sustainability in one of South Africa’s most dynamic and globally recognised industries. The wine sector continues to evolve, creating opportunities for growth while adapting to changing consumer expectations and embracing new possibilities.
“The exceptional quality of our Sauvignon Blanc strengthens South Africa’s position in international markets and attracts visitors to our winelands. Through initiatives like the Top 10, we are proud to support an industry that contributes to rural development, job creation and economic growth across the value chain. As the category continues to grow and premiumise, FNB remains committed to supporting its innovation and success.”
Taste, buy and learn more
Look out for the Top 10 winners displaying the distinctive, cultivar leaf-shaped logo on their labels.
The 2026 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 collection is available online at https://www.getwine.co.za/ and at Wine Stellenbosch TOPS and Kwikspar Somerset West @Lion’s Square. A booklet featuring tasting notes on the winning wines and the Sauvignon Blanc aroma wheel is free to download at https://sauvignonblanc.com/.
The coffee table book The Story of South African Sauvignon Blanc, priced at R350 plus delivery, is also available via the website.
Sauvignon Blanc SA Seminar and AGM in November
The annual Sauvignon Blanc SA Seminar and Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at Hazendal Wine Estate. For more information, visit https://sauvignonblanc.com/ or contact [email protected] or 082 808 1114.
Social media
Join the conversation with #FNBTop10 #SauvignonBlancSA and follow Sauvignon Blanc SA on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn as @sauvignonblancsa and on X @SauvignonSA.
Relevant Agribook pages include “Wine and wine grapes.“
