Diemersdal Estate’s flagship The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2024 has claimed top honours at the Prescient Sauvignon Blanc Report 2025, hosted by Winemag.co.za. Scoring 95 points, the wine emerged as the leading performer in this year’s competition, which saw 78 entries assessed by a three-person judging panel using the 100-point scale.
Crafted from Diemersdal’s renowned dryland vineyards in Durbanville, The Journal is a wooded Sauvignon Blanc first released in 2019. Since its debut, it has become one of South Africa’s most decorated Sauvignon Blancs. Earlier this year, the 2022 vintage was also awarded the trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc at the Trophy Wine Show, cementing its reputation for excellence.
Inspired by the iconic Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre, France, The Journal reflects both European finesse and Cape terroir. Winemaker and proprietor Thys Louw explains that two key elements define the wine: oak and maturation temperature.
“For The Journal’s classic style, oak is essential,” says Louw. “We use new 500-litre French oak barrels, including select Stockinger vessels from Austria, to create depth and complexity. The wine then matures for nine months at a steady 9°C—a technique I observed in France—which coaxes out refined flavours while retaining the grape’s freshness. The result is a layered wine with elegant palate weight, combining the brightness of Sauvignon Blanc with a long, lingering finish.”
The Diemersdal The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2024 is available nationwide at a recommended retail price of R355 per bottle.
