Guide to the Best Wineries in California for Sauvignon Blanc
Posted at 17:56h
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Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from the parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon, is a white wine known for its rejuvenating crispness and high acidity. Originating in Bordeaux, France, but now flourishing in wineries all around the globe, this medium-bodied wine is distinct in its grassier notes and subtle sweetness. California wineries in particular have brought amazing recognition to this Sauvignon Blanc—but where specifically, you might ask, are the best wineries in California to enjoy a glass?
Have no fear—we’ve created just the guide for you. Read on for our list of the best wineries in California for Sauvignon Blanc.
The Best Wineries in California for Sauvignon Blanc
While there are an abundance of wonderful wineries throughout the United States and Europe, California has a unique wine culture that must be experienced to be appreciated. From Napa to Sonoma and beyond, Northern California is perhaps the best place for wine enthusiasts to gather and enjoy a quality glass of wine—and one of California’s most beloved varieties is Sauvignon Blanc.
Each of the following wineries has painstakingly crafted a superb bottle of wine that simply must be tasted.
Image Credit: Davis Estates
4060 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open Daily: 10am-4pm
Davis Estates
For over a decade, Davis Estates has been creating a family-centered legacy of impeccable winemaking. At our century-old estate in Calistoga, we have been producing top-notch flavors which echo with Napa Valley magic. In terms of high-quality white wine, Davis Estates’ 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is absolutely unbeatable: sweet notes of clementine, Fuji apple, and banana are balanced by hints of tangy grapefruit to make a flavorful and vibrant wine for events both ordinary and extraordinary.
Image Credit: Larkmead Vineyards
1100 Larkmead Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open Daily: 9am-5pm
Larkmead Vineyards
Located in Calistoga, Larkmead Vineyards boasts a plethora of soil types due to decades of alluvial flow, offering equally complex wines. The Solari-Baker family runs this 115-acre estate with style, crafting a Sauvignon Blanc that tastes of brioche, zesty lemon, sage, and peach for a bit of sweetness.
Image Credit: The Vineyardist
263 Petrified Forest Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open by Appointment Only
The Vineyardist
Located at the foot of Calistoga’s Diamond Mountain, The Vineyardist is a winery where precision and elegance take the forefront. Especially astonishing is the Vineyardist’s 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, acclaimed for its intense minerality and sophistication. Elderflower, sea spray, and lime are three of its most prominent notes, the satiny texture also bright with the tang of citrus.
Image Credit: Stags’ Leap Wine Cellars
5766 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Open Daily: 10am-4pm
Stags’ Leap Wine Cellars
Each bottle of wine from Stags’ Leap is enriched by its storied history, the many eras of the winery’s ownership combining to create a fascinating legacy. Stags’ Leap’s 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is a Napa Valley wine with a wealth of flavors, lemon verbena and floral blossom and biscuit giving way to green apple and cassis, finishing with layers of white peach and lanolin. Both creamy and flinty, this white wine is the perfect accompaniment to any charcuterie board or vegetable platter.
255 Petrified Forest Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open Daily: 10am-4pm
Theorem Vineyards
Sonoma County’s Moon Mountain is the source of Theorem Vineyards’ signature Sauvignon Blanc. Coastal and volcanic soil types combine to yield a white wine with flair and refinement. Since Sauvignon Blanc is best when only briefly aged, Theorem Vineyards has developed a meticulous fermentation process for this wine. Both short and intentional, Theorem Vineyards has managed to produce a Sauvignon Blanc with a deep minerality and a stunning creaminess that is sure to delight.
Image Credit: Chateau Montelena
1429 Tubbs Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open Daily: 9:30am-4pm
Chateau Montelena
In everything, Chateau Montelena aspires to be above average, and their 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. The product of an outstanding growing season at the vineyards, this Napa Valley wine is as fresh and delectable as the spring mornings that infused the grapes with such amazing flavors. Whiffs of kiwi, honeydew, and lemongrass are immediately apparent in this white wine’s fragrance. The tongue will also detect orange zest, white pepper, and hints of thyme, rendering this Sauvignon Blanc unforgettable.
254 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574
Open Daily: 10am-6pm
Louis M. Martini Winery
Ever since the repeal of Prohibition, Louis M. Martini Winery has been building its legacy of winemaking in Napa Valley. Its contemporary owners are still inspired by the passion for the craft shown by the winery’s namesake, who studied winemaking in Italy before establishing vineyards of his own in Napa. Perhaps the best white wine Louis M. Martini Winery offers is the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, with its notes of gooseberry, lychee, and lime zest, as well as a wet slate minerality which provides an exceptional earthiness.
1991 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford, CA 94573
Open Daily: 11am-4pm
Inglenook
Rooted in the incredible terroir of Napa’s Rutherford Bench, Inglenook’s wines are sensationally flavorful. Their Sauvignon Blancs are truly exemplary, all aged in stainless steel and oak for eight months, just enough time to preserve the fruitiness. The moderately softened tannins in each bottle complement the intensely acidic taste that Sauvignon Blanc fans look for.
Image Credit: HALL Wines
401 St Helena Hwy South, St Helena, CA 94574
Open Daily: 10am-5:30pm
HALL Wines
HALL crafts top-notch wines with rich textures, and their Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best examples. With locations in St. Helena, Palm Springs, and Rutherford, HALL’s wines are diverse, each bottle exhibiting extraordinary character. Their 2023 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc tastes of guava, lemongrass, and citrus blossom, the growing conditions for the grapes nearly perfect in summer and early fall. Their 2023 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc has an equally energetic palate, with notes of nectarine, white flowers, and grapefruit. These superb vintages have stunning acidity and deep finishes which excite the senses.
FAQS: Everything You Need to Know About Sauvignon Blanc
What distinguishes Sauvignon Blanc from other white wines?
In particular, Sauvignon Blanc is a medium-bodied wine known for being highly acidic, fruity, grassy, crisp, and light. Other white wines are often heavier. This wine is also intended to be drunk young rather than aged for a longer period, and depending on the fermentation process, it can be sweeter than some other white wines.
Where can I find the best Sauvignon Blanc?
Although there are many amazing sources for fabulous Sauvignon Blanc, we believe that there truly is nowhere better than a California winery to find the best bottle. The 2022 Davis Estates Sauvignon Blanc in particular is a prime choice, with a fruity and tangy vibrancy that our guests love.
What foods can I pair with Sauvignon Blanc?
There are a wide variety of foods which pair well with Sauvignon Blanc—vegetables, charcuterie boards, cheeses, even spicier Thai or Mexican foods. Sushi and shellfish also work well, for a remarkable pairing diversity. That’s one of the many reasons why we love it! Experiment in the kitchen with some of our favorite Sauvignon Blanc pairing recipes to discover your favorites.
Experience the Best Sauvignon Blanc at Davis Estates
At Davis Estates, every bottle of wine can turn into a celebration. With a variety of delights for your taste buds, we aim to invite you into our family, inspiring you and yours to cherish each and every moment together. From the beach to the park to the patio, we hope you’ll raise a glass of our Sauvignon Blanc to toast to any special moment.And if you don’t believe us, come to our Calistoga estate to try our wines for yourself. Wine tasting experiences are offered daily, and we would love to meet you—don’t hesitate to schedule a tasting today!