For years, Chardonnay dominated conversations around top-tier white wine. But according to Wine-Searcher’s Best Sauvignon Blancs of 2025, the spotlight has shifted.
Sauvignon Blanc is enjoying its moment in the sun — and the regions producing the world’s finest bottles might surprise even seasoned wine lovers. While Napa Valley and Bordeaux retain their prestige, it is Austria’s Steiermark that emerges as the unexpected star, claiming six of the world’s top ten Sauvignon Blancs.
This recognition underscores what wine insiders have known for years: Steiermark is producing some of the most refined, expressive, and world-class Sauvignon Blancs on the planet.
Steiermark: Austria’s Quiet Powerhouse of Sauvignon Blanc
Steiermark, one of Austria’s smaller wine regions, accounts for only 7% of national wine production. Yet its reputation for aromatic, energetic white wines continues to rise globally. The region’s focus is clear: Sauvignon Blanc, Weissburgunder, and Welschriesling thrive here, with red wines produced in smaller quantities.
Steiermark’s climate plays a decisive role. It borders on Mediterranean influence — warmer than most Austrian regions — offering:
- Long, warm growing seasons → Perfect ripeness
- Cool nights → Preserved acidity and aromatics
- Well-drained, mineral-rich slopes → Distinctive structure and precision
These conditions create Sauvignon Blancs that are ripe yet elegant, concentrated yet fresh — a profile increasingly sought by collectors and critics alike.
The Top 10 Sauvignon Blancs of 2025 by Wine-Searcher
(Ranked by Wine-Searcher’s aggregated critic scores)
Before diving into the list, Wine-Searcher clarifies that:
- Rankings reflect aggregated critic scores, weighted by critic influence.
- Prices are current global average retail in USD, not release prices.
And now, onto the wines.
1. Dana Estates — Hershey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, USA)
Score: 96
Price: USD 591
Despite Steiermark’s dominance, the top spot goes to Dana Estates’ Hershey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, a rare white from a Napa producer known primarily for Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard itself is largely planted to Cabernet, making the Sauvignon Blanc even more unique.
Founded on Howell Mountain, Dana Estates takes its name from the Sanskrit word for “spirit of generosity” — symbolized by 12 lotus flowers on the label. Powerful, precise, and luxurious, this wine has become a cult collectible.
2. Weingut Erwin Sabathi — Ried Possnitzberger Kapelle Sauvignon Blanc (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 96
Price: USD 104
The first Austrian entry comes from Weingut Sabathi, a family with a ten-generation winemaking lineage. Produced from a single vineyard crowned by a small chapel (Kapelle), this wine is intensely mineral, saline, and terroir-driven — a signature of the Südsteiermark hills.
3. Weingut Tement — Ried Zieregg Kapelle Sauvignon Blanc Grosse STK Lage (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 96
Price: USD 66
A pillar of Styrian winemaking, Weingut Tement produces some of Europe’s most respected Sauvignon Blancs. Their Zieregg Kapelle bottling is a benchmark: layered, complex, and astonishingly affordable given its acclaim.
4. Weingut Tement — Ried Zieregg Vinothek Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 95
Price: USD 111
Another Zieregg masterpiece — richer, deeper, and built for long-term cellaring. Tement’s consistent presence on this list reinforces Steiermark’s growing global prestige.
5. Weingut Neumeister — Alte Reben Stradener Sauvignon Blanc (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 95
Price: USD 84
From one of the region’s most elegant estates — which also runs a boutique hotel and restaurant — this old-vine (Alte Reben) Sauvignon Blanc delivers texture, power, and purity supported by exceptional vineyard age.
6. Château Margaux — Pavillon Blanc (Bordeaux, France)
Score: 94
Price: USD 355
A rarity from one of Bordeaux’s most legendary estates. Famous for Grand Vin Cabernet blends, Château Margaux also crafts this crystalline 100% Sauvignon Blanc — highly allocated and always in demand.
7. Lail Vineyards — Georgia Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, USA)
Score: 94
Price: USD 173
Founded by Robin Lail in 1995, the estate draws on family heritage from the historic Inglenook dynasty. The Georgia Sauvignon Blanc marries Old World finesse with Napa richness — structured, vibrant, and collectible.
8. Weingut Wohlmuth — Edelschuh Sauvignon Blanc (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 94
Price: USD 50
Family-run for over 200 years, Wohlmuth farms steep, terraced vineyards with an environmentally conscious philosophy — no herbicides or pesticides. Edelschuh is a standout in both quality and value.
9. Weingut Tement — Ried Zieregg Sauvignon Blanc Grosse STK Lage (Steiermark, Austria)
Score: 94
Price: USD 67
A third appearance for Tement, reaffirming Zieregg as one of the world’s greatest Sauvignon Blanc vineyards.
10. Eisele Vineyard — Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, USA)
Score: 94
Price: USD 128
A biodynamic estate with a cult following, Eisele Vineyard has earned acclaim for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its Sauvignon Blanc follows the same philosophy: purity, precision, and exceptional terroir expression.
Steiermark’s Triumph: Quality, Value, and Global Recognition
Despite being relatively under the radar internationally, Steiermark claims six of the world’s top ten Sauvignon Blancs — a remarkable achievement for a region that produces just a fraction of Austria’s wine.
Even more compelling: Styrian Sauvignon Blanc consistently delivers world-class quality at far lower prices than Napa or Bordeaux. With critic scores rivaling icons, yet at a fraction of the cost, Steiermark has secured its place among the elite regions for Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2025 ranking confirms what sommeliers and collectors are increasingly acknowledging:
The future of Sauvignon Blanc shines brightly — and much of that light is coming from Steiermark.
Source: Wine-Searcher