Earlier this week, Durbanville winemakers, media and wine industry professionals celebrated the much-anticipated release of the Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc 2023.
The second vintage of the highly anticipated Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc has been released. A milestone collaboration of the region’s 13 producers, the wine’s first iteration of 10 000 bottles sold out last year in just six months.
The region is world-renowned for its Sauvignon blanc wines thanks in large part to its cool climate. Its cornerstone is not so much altitude as the region’s location close to the Atlantic Ocean’s False Bay and Table Bay. Both provide the grapes with ideal conditions for slow ripening and optimal flavour development.
A steady stream of awards has been the result and most recently placed Durbanville producers at the heart of this year’s historic Concours Mondial du Sauvignon. The competition was hosted in South Africa in March - the first time in history that the Sauvignon Blanc-focussed championship was held outside Europe. Not only was Durbanville selected to be one of the few regions toured by the judges during the event, but its producers were also among the most awarded at the show.
“It has been consistent recognition over many decades that inspired the wine project that would tell our story and the launch of Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc,” explains Durbanville Wine Valley manager Natasha de Villiers. “The idea was essentially to create a Super Sauvignon that represented Durbanville Wine Valley’s worldclass quality and the shared vision of our producers.”
Now, underscored by this lineage of excellence and the fore runner’s sell-out success, the Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc 2023 promises to build on the legacy. As with the 2022 vintage, the 13 wineries produced the component wines. Wine was received from Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, Canto, D'Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Groot Phesantekraal, Klein Roosboom, Maastricht, Meerendal, Nitida and Signal Gun. The final blend was then compiled by De Grendel winemaker Morgan Steyn.
“The 2023 vintage is a true expression of the Durbanville terroir and the different winemaking styles in the valley,” he says. “This is a project that is always done with great excitement and teamwork. Ultimately, the wine showcases the camaraderie between the wineries and what we all stand for.”
Tastings of the blend reveal a strongly aromatic wine with prominent acid structure and balance. Harnessing the characteristics of the season’s early and later-harvested fruit, it shows notes of tropical fruit and hints of fresh-cut grass that linger in the finish. Its core is pure Durbanville, and its exterior too. The label highlights the many facets of region, with the vineyards and wine grapes as centrepiece alongside proteas – South Africa’s national flower and a nod to nature-aligned viticulture.
The region’s Dutch heritage is elevated through the label imagery, as well as the
Delft-blue rendering while its proximity and link with the Cape are depicted in the
presence of iconic Table Mountain. Vines have thrived here since 1698. Together, the elements speak of a rich heritage that has emerged from generational know-how and a history of sustainable farming.
The Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc 2023 sells from Spar stores in Durbanville too, as well as Food Lovers Market Willowbridge and the Durbanville Wine Valley online store at www.durbanvillewine.co.za.
It is priced at R120 per bottle.
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