One cool climate, four different styles – the Sauvignon Blancs of Elgin Vintners have golden quality, with the latest accolade a Gold medal for the 2021 Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc in this year’s Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

Elgin Vintners Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc was one of only four wines from South Africa to achieve Gold in the largest and most significant international competition dedicated solely to Sauvignon Blanc, with 1 120 entries from 23 countries received for the 2022 Concours. The results of the Brussels-based competition were announced in this year’s host country, Portugal, on 28 March.

Elgin Vintners has a solid track record of Gold medals in the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon over the past three years – the latest accolade follows Gold awarded to the 2020 vintages of both the site-specific Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc and the Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc in the 2021 competition, while Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2019 also won Gold in 2020.

The wines are regularly awarded in other local and international competitions too, with Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2021 winning Gold last year in the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters, run by the respected international The Drinks Business magazine – one of only two South African wines to make the competition’s Top 12 Sauvignon Blancs of 2021.

“We are thrilled with this latest recognition for our Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc, which builds on the local and global reputation and recognition for our four styles of Sauvignon Blanc, showing the consistent quality produced by our vineyards and the distinctive Elgin climate,” Elgin Vintners winemaker and business manager Dr Marinda Kruger said.

She said that the high altitude of the mountain valley of Elgin, from 260m to 600m above sea level but close enough to the sea to still receive its cooling breezes, creates a very special micro-climate.

“The elevation means we have a lot of cloud cover, generous rainfall, misty mornings, and distinct variations in temperature over the seasons and between day and night, resulting in longer-ripening periods and later harvesting than warmer regions.

“This more relaxed, less stressed pace gives us more flavours, less green and more ripe tannins, low sugars and fresh natural acidity, making wines balancing freshness and complexity, with poise and finesse,” she said.

In addition to the site-specific Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc and the lightly-wooded Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc, the estate also produces the wild-fermented Cloud Haven Sauvignon Blanc and The Century, a classic white Bordeaux-style blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon.

Showing the longevity of wines from cool-climate Elgin, The Century 2017 won a Gold medal, with 96 points, and the trophy for Best Museum Class White Blend in the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show in 2021.

Cloud Haven Sauvignon Blanc has its share of accolades too – a double platinum and top 100 place in the 2021 National Wine Challenge for the 2020 vintage, and a silver in the 2021 Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters for the latest, 2021, vintage.

Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc 2020 was awarded 91 points and a 4.5* rating in the 2022 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, while Cloud Haven Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2020 and The Century 2017 are all rated 4*.

Elgin Vintners’ wines are available in fine retail outlets nationally and online at https://elginvintners.co.za/buy-wine/, with 10% discount for Elgin Vintners Club Privé members.

Visit Elgin Vintners and taste their wines, along with wood-fired pizzas, live music and a jumping castle for the kids, during the Elgin Valley Cool Wine Festival on 30 April and 1 May; or at the Elgin Vintners Oysters & Sauvignon Blanc event from 6-8 May celebrating International Sauvignon Blanc Day.