For the uninitiated, Sauvignon Blanc can easily be written off as one-dimensional. A wine more concerned with acidity than complexity. “But it can be so much more layered than that!” says Steenberg winemaker Elunda Basson (she’s also the chairperson of the Sauvignon Blanc Association, so you know she knows what’s up). “It can be textured, structured, even age-worthy. It connects elegance with energy.” Constantia Sauvignon Blanc has earned its seat alongside the world’s heavy-hitters — make room New Zealand and Sancerre! — and that’s in part to Steenberg’s multifaceted approach to the grape. Within a relatively small area, they have shown an unusual amount of variation and definition.
The Black Swan is made from Steenberg’s top-performing blocks, driven by site and vintage. Extended lees contact adds texture and complexity, creating a more layered wine that’s still precise, but with added depth. “Black Swan 2025 is a vintage I’m particularly proud of,” says Elunda. “What stands out to me is the balance. You have that classic aromatic profile — those green, savoury notes — but they’re supported by a broader, more textured palate. It’s a wine that shows both precision and generosity. For me, it captures exactly what Black Swan is meant to be: a pure, site-driven expression of our best vineyards.”
For International Sauvignon Blanc Day, the Black Swan 2025 feels like a natural focal point… but it isn’t the only point. The Classic Sauvignon Blanc is Steenberg’s fresh, vibrant and most approachable expression, bringing together a blend of all of Steenberg’s Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. The recently released Blanc shows Steenberg’s continued exploration and creative freedom. Challenging the traditional expectations of Sauvignon Blanc, it shows just how well a more serious, wooded Sauvignon Blanc can handle a food-focused approach.
No matter your point of entry, Steenberg is the obvious choice this Sauvignon Blanc Day. We might even take a three-pronged approach.