Pilgrim Wines Sauvignon Gris 2025
R1,170.00 CASE OF 6
Out of stock
According to official sources, just over 400 vines exist in these foundational blocks, and for the 2025 vintage we were able to work with approximately 100 of them, yielding a modest 250 bottles in total.
These vines are situated in and around Stellenbosch, where the decomposed granitic soils and slightly warmer conditions provide excellent ripening potential. The site experiences a gentle build-up of heat throughout the day, moderated by cool evenings, producing small, intensely flavoured berries.
Due to the quicker ripening curve of these vines, the grapes were brought in early to preserve freshness and aromatic vibrancy.
Out of stock
Tasting Notes
The grapes for this extraordinary Sauvignon Gris were sourced from the foundational blocks of South Africa — the very origin point of the cultivar’s journey in the country.
According to official sources, just over 400 vines exist in these foundational blocks, and for the 2025 vintage we were able to work with approximately 100 of them, yielding a modest 250 bottles in total.
These vines are situated in and around Stellenbosch, where the decomposed granitic soils and slightly warmer conditions provide excellent ripening potential. The site experiences a gentle build-up of heat throughout the day, moderated by cool evenings, producing small, intensely flavoured berries.
Due to the quicker ripening curve of these vines, the grapes were brought in early to preserve freshness and aromatic vibrancy.
The 2025 growing season was a remarkable one — a long, steady, and protected harvest period defined by even ripening conditions. The season offered no extreme heatwaves and allowed for a consistent, gentle ticking along of the ripening process in the vineyards, with grapes developing wonderful balance between sugar and natural acidity.
Picking took place on the 12th of February under ideal early-morning conditions.
After being hand-picked in the cool morning, the grapes were de-stemmed and left on the skins for approximately three days in a cool room. This gentle cool extraction encouraged the development of aromatic precursors typical of Sauvignon Gris — passion fruit, guava, and tropical florals — without driving phenolic extraction.
After three days, the juice began natural fermentation, at which point the grapes were pressed, separating the skins and stalks from the juice.
The fermenting juice was then transferred into a single small 150 L French oak barrel — a very neutral, old vessel, chosen purely as a fermentation environment rather than for oak influence. The wine completed natural fermentation and bottled later with minimal intervention to preserve purity and character.
Colour: Pale golden hue with a delicate green tinge, reflecting the brief skin contact and early pick.
Nose: Wonderfully fruit-forward and aromatic, showing notes of passion fruit, guava, lychee, and ripe gooseberry, underscored by a touch of fynbos herbaceousness and subtle minerality.
Palate: Rich, textural and full, with classic Sauvignon fruit purity and a beautifully layered mouthfeel. The short skin contact lends a gentle tannin structure that fills out the palate, balancing the ripe fruit intensity. A light phenolic grip provides freshness and tension, while maintaining a long, satisfying finish. This is a captivating young expression of Sauvignon Gris — still finding its voice in South Africa but already displaying the potential to become a vital blending and standalone component. By isolating this small batch, we aim to explore and understand the cultivar’s full potential as it matures and adapts to our local terroir
Alc: 12.5 % Vol.
RS: 2.5 g/l
pH: 3.35
TA: 5.6 g/l
VA: 0.37 g/l
