A round-up of Sauv Blancs (Photo by Fran Endicott Miller)

If there is one wine varietal that most often heralds the arrival of spring, it’s Sauvignon Blanc. Just as a refreshing Rosé is associated with warm summer days spent by the pool, Sauvignon Blanc’s zesty, herbaceous quality makes it the ideal accompaniment to the emergence of springtime flora. Spring is optimism materialized, and Sauvignon Blanc is a lovely expression of that sense of hope and positivity. Open one of these delicious selections, and savor the essence of the season.

Mathew Bruno 2019 Yountville Sauvignon Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc is handpicked from the Hoxsey Family’s Block House Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley’s Yountville, believed to be one of the oldest vineyards in the region. Harvested at peak maturity in late summer, this wine exhibits the complexity and core attributes found in Yountville’s best Sauvignon Blancs. Fermented in 100% stainless steel, this wine evokes aromas of honeydew melon, lemon zest, and apricot. On the palate, it bursts of juicy peach, lemon, and citrus.

Flora Springs 2021 Soliloquy

This Napa Valley white blend from a proprietary Flora Springs clone of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Malvasia is beautifully balanced and multi-layered. It’s filled with flavors of grapefruit, Meyer lemon, yellow peach, and spice, with a refreshing zesty acidity. Soliloquy’s journey began in 1985, and the wine soon became recognized as a singular clone unique to the winery. The clone nearly went extinct in the 1990s, and since then, Flora Springs has preserved this piece of Napa Valley history by propagating vines and replicating them in the vineyard. Soliloquy represents Flora Springs’ finest white wine ever made.

Gehricke 2022 Sonoma Mountain Sauvigno

This pale straw-colored, small-production wine is proprietor August Sebastiani’s tribute to his Sonoma childhood in which he recalls sunny days exploring the local countryside. It springs to life with aromas of sweet jasmine and orange blossoms, underscored by notes of lime oil and zesty citrus. This yummy Sauvignon Blanc is round on the palate with flavors of white peach and ripe melon. Notes of lavender are complemented by a delicate touch of viscosity. Enjoy this one with a peach caprese salad, arugula pesto pasta, ginger stir fry, shrimp picatta, or lemon chicken skewers.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2021 AVETA Sauvignon Blanc

Always a favorite of Sauvignon Blanc fans, this 2021 AVETA Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc, 19% Sauvignon Musqué, 4% Muscat Canelli and 1% Semillon. It offers fragrant aromas of lemongrass, passion fruit, papaya, and tangerine and has bright and fresh acidity with a flavorful finish filled with lingering guava, citrus, and honeysuckle notes. Pair it with seafood, poultry, and pasta.

Turnbull 2022 Oakville Sauvignon Blanc

Turnbull winemaker Peter Heitz claims this is one of his favorite wines to craft and enjoy. He calls it “Nervous enough to be interesting, crisp enough to quench, and delicious enough to thrill.” The wine is aromatic and refreshing, with delicate aromas of white stone fruit blossoms, passion fruit, and a hint of wet flint. On the palate, the wine displays a soft entry with crisp acidity, adding structure and lift. Flavors of fresh white peaches couple with lemon zest and mineral notes to add complexity. Cuvaison 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Méthode Béton

Cuvaison 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Méthode Béton

Cuvaison winemaker Steve Rogstad describes this 2021 as “rife with fresh melon, lemongrass, guava, and mango notes.” Rich and ebullient, this wine takes Sauvignon to the next level. Produced from the Musqué selection of Sauvignon Blanc off of the winery’s Los Carneros estate, the wine is entirely fermented and aged “sur lies” (on the lees, or the yeast cells leftover from fermentation) in concrete “eggs.” The extended aging and lees contact, nearly 12 months, lends textural sophistication to the wine, broadening the palate, softening the edges, and dialing up the volume. Arkenstone 2017 Howell Mountain Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Arkenstone 2017 Howell Mountain Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Tolkien fans might recognize Arkenstone winery’s name (meaning “heart of the mountain”) as the coveted gemstone featured in “The Hobbit.” Arkenstone’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc originated when the Howell Mountain winery decided to age blocks of their Estate Blanc for an extended time in large-format French oak barrels. The barrels are toasted slowly over low heat, making them the perfect complement for this reserve wine made from carefully selected grapes evaluated and singled out for proper balance, ripeness, and acidity. The Arkenstone team ages this wine until they feel it is ready; this one was aged 18 months. Only 60 cases were produced.

Whether your particular spring entails April showers or the promise of warmer days ahead, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc evokes a sunny vibe that heralds the change of seasons. Cheers!