Sauvignon Gris

Light lunch, salads, quiche, poultry

The 2026 Sauvignon Gris brings together two small parcels: one in Stellenbosch and one in the Swartland. The combination moves this second release from a single-area study into a Wine of Origin Coastal Region expression, allowing the same rare cultivar to show two complementary sides. The Stellenbosch parcel contributes fine herbal detail, freshness and line, while the warmer, drier Swartland parcel lends breadth, weight and a more generous texture. Sauvignon Gris remains exceptionally scarce in South Africa, and this tiny bottling continues Pilgrim's exploration of its local potential. The 2026 season began with good winter chill and a warm, dry spring that encouraged early, even growth. In Stellenbosch, dry conditions from August accelerated canopy and fruit development; January and February were more moderate, and many early white cultivars reached maturity ahead of normal timing. Early Sauvignon Blanc vineyards produced particularly healthy fruit, while improved bunch numbers and smaller berries gave both concentration and substance. The Swartland received only about 60-70% of its usual winter rainfall, followed by dry, warm conditions and strong early fertility. January and February brought fewer hours above 35°C than usual, helping the early white varieties retain poise, while low disease pressure supported clean fruit. Smaller berries were offset by higher bunch numbers; natural acidity was slightly lower, with Chenin Blanc and the region's other early whites showing very promising quality. In the finished Sauvignon Gris, the season presents as more aromatically reserved than 2025, but with markedly greater breadth and palate weight.

The two parcels were handled simply. After de-stemming, the grapes remained on their skins for approximately three days in a cool pre-fermentation maceration. Natural fermentation then began on the skins and continued for one further day before the grapes were pressed. The fermenting juice was transferred to a single older, neutral 500L French oak barrel, where fermentation was completed naturally. The neutral vessel served as a quiet fermentation and maturation environment, building texture without imposing overt oak character. The wine was bottled in July 2026.

Pilgrim Wines is a unique wine company, dedicated to inspire, teach and surprise. We are a small family-owned business with a passion for wine making. Well-known Winemaker Henry Kotzé (former Morgenster and now at the iconic Mulderbosch) carefully crafts the wines for owner and Viticulturist wife Riëtte Kotzé’s Pilgrim Wines brand. We do not have our own vineyards, at the moment we source our grapes from small pockets of vineyards that we have come across in our everyday paths. These distinct parcels of land, happen to be in our home-grown Stellenbosch area and the amazing Voor Paardeberg regions. We partner with like minded ethical growers and believe in leaving nothing but footprints for the next generation. We focus on innovative methods with tried and tested cultivars, as well as experimental styles with unorthodox, unfamiliar cultivars. We like to discover the new and untried pathways in the journey of grape to bottle.