Backyard barbecues, dinner parties, family vacations, quiet date nights — summer has so much to offer, and the right wine can bring it all together into an experience you won't forget.
This summer, we're celebrating Sauvignon Blanc in all its refreshing — yet complex — glory.
A Brief History of Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape with roots in France's Loire Valley and Bordeaux region. It pairs beautifully with fish and cheese, and it's one of the few wines that holds up well alongside sushi. The variety is old enough to be a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, though early Bordeaux winemakers didn't ferment and bottle it on its own — instead, they folded it into white blends or into Sauternes, a dessert wine.
Sauvignon Blanc eventually traveled to Sancerre, in the Loire Valley, where winemakers planted and cultivated it as a single-varietal wine. It wasn't until the 20th century that it caught on in the bistros and bars of Paris, prized for being easy to drink and food-friendly — though at the time, it was known simply as Sancerre, after its home region.
Sauvignon Blanc became a true household name in the 1990s, when New Zealand winemakers — led by pioneers like Cloudy Bay in Marlborough — released the variety onto the international market. People took notice. It was bright, crisp, and an instant crowd-pleaser. From there, Sauvignon Blanc carried on traveling the world, gaining popularity with every stop.
Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon may be the reigning grape of Napa Valley, but Sauvignon Blanc has earned its own place here — and rightfully so. The variety responds well to Napa's soil and climate, and wines made from it here tend to be less grassy and pungent than their New Zealand or French counterparts. Every producer brings its own take, but Napa Valley's warm days and sunny weather generally lead to crisp, fruit-forward Sauvignon Blancs that are versatile, complex, and easy to love.
Theorem's Moon Mountain Sauvignon Blanc
Now is the perfect time to stock up on our Moon Mountain Sauvignon Blanc. Grown at elevations up to 1,800 feet on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, our Moon Mountain estate offers growing conditions unlike anywhere else in the valley. Our Sauvignon Blanc reflects that with an array of flavors that leap from the glass and invite you back for another sip. In the dog days of summer, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
