California Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh, expressive and aging beautifully, the best of these wines are gaining consumer attention

Quintessa’s Illumination winemaker Rebekah Wineburg sits at a desk with many unlabeled bottles of Sauvignon Blanc lined up in front of her as she catalogues and tastes each throughout the blending process.
Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg of Quintessa’s Illumination, produced some of this tasting report’s top-scoring Sauvignon Blancs. (Emma Kruch/Emma K Creative)

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the brightest stars in the wine world, and bottlings from California are among the most exciting. The vibrant, aromatic white wine is one of the few categories gaining ground in an otherwise listless wine market, both in the U.S. and around the world. Sauvignon Blanc sales are up, and the best examples from the Golden State are stylish, expressive and even ageable. Get vintage analysis, scores and tasting notes for top California Sauvignon Blancs from senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec’s most recent tasting report!

Member-Only Content

Premium Subscription

Join today and get immediate access to this article, and to our entire database of more than 400,000 wine ratings. It only takes moments—but it will help you drink better all year long.

Start Free 30-day Trial

Already a member? Sign In

Try Winespectator.com Free for 30 Days!

Full access to our database of more than 425,000 wine ratings

Early access to reviews on our editors' favorite just-rated wines

Wine and food pairing tool,
chefs' pairing recommendations

Best value wines and winery intel

Subscribe today

You Might Also Like

Piedmont’s Moment

Piedmont’s Moment

The 2020 and 2021 vintages deliver impressive Nebbiolos in contrasting styles

Apr 30, 2025
Discover Spain with These 9 Amazing Riojas at 90+ Points

Discover Spain with These 9 Amazing Riojas at 90+ Points

Explore Spain's best-known wine region with new reviews of outstanding red wines priced …

Mar 6, 2025
8 Exciting California Zinfandel Reds Up to 92 Points

8 Exciting California Zinfandel Reds Up to 92 Points

California Zinfandel’s diverse styles are on display with these new reviews of wines from …

Mar 3, 2025
9 Glorious New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs Priced $27 or Less

9 Glorious New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs Priced $27 or Less

Discover the famed Marlborough region with new reviews of refreshing white wines up to 92 …

Feb 27, 2025
8 Outstanding West Coast Pinot Noirs Up to 93 Points

8 Outstanding West Coast Pinot Noirs Up to 93 Points

New reviews of fantastic red wines from California's Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, …

Feb 24, 2025
Alphabetical Guide to California Sauvignon Blanc

Alphabetical Guide to California Sauvignon Blanc

More than 175 Sauvignon Blanc wines from across California were reviewed by Wine Spectator …

Apr 30, 2025