American Sauvignon Blanc Can Be Traced to Wente

FROM THE WIRES...

Get ready! National Sauvignon Blanc Day (May 2) is just around the corner, and Wente Family Vineyards 2023 'Louis Mel' Sauvignon Blanc is a delicious wine to consider for the occasion.

WENTE FAMILY HISTORY

While Wente Vineyards is renowned as America's founding family of Chardonnay, the family also played a pivotal role in popularizing Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S. (and well beyond!). The origins of American Sauvignon Blanc can be traced back to 1884, when cuttings from the revered Château d'Yquem in Bordeaux found a haven in what was then called the Louis Mel estate in the Livermore Valley.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Wente family sourced grapes from Mel's property, crafting some of the only legal sacramental wines during Prohibition. This turned out to be a lifeline for domestic Sauvignon Blanc, a winegrape so obscure at the time, it almost certainly would have been ripped out otherwise. By 1940, the Wentes secured the property, ensuring the legacy of those original Sauvignon Blanc vines.

Those very vines were soon catalogued by UC Davis and became the foundation for Sauvignon Blanc Clone #1, now widely planted across New Zealand, Australia, Chile, South Africa, and the U.S. Few Sauvignon Blanc lovers realize they have the Wente family to thank for the variety’s popularity outside of France!

TASTING NOTES

The 2023 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc ($18) showcases notes of classic grapefruit, white apricot, guava, and key lime, complemented by flavors of sweet Meyer lemon and candied citrus. The wine is well-rounded with balanced acidity and a touch of minerality on the finish.

Sample.