High-elevation vineyards in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains create wines that have incredible liveliness, freshness, and balance, particularly white wines. One of the region’s premier producers is Elena Walch. An architect turned winemaker, Walch and her daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, showcase the region’s stunning terroir in cool climate varieties like Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Sauvignon. Her sustainably farmed Castel Ringberg Sauvignon is lush, textural, and crisp, driven with citrus, white flowers, and gooseberry along with herbaceous notes and earthy, crushed stone minerality. Enjoy with creamy, soft, fresh cheese or light fish dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc isn’t the wine I think of from the Rueda region of Spain. The area is better known for its crisp, lively Verdejo wines. However, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo share similarities, mainly in their sunshine-filled style. Bodegas Marques de Caceres showcases this in its Rueda Sauvignon Blanc. Sundrenched vineyards create well-rounded, very ripe layers of golden citrus with marzipan, soft herbs, honey, and wet stone. After fermentation the wine sits on the less for a brief period before bottling, helping round out the textures, adding a hint of creaminess to the crisp selection. 

Bringing together an Old World style with New World sensibilities, South Africa’s Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, fresh, and inviting. The wine combines fresh citrus and soft herbs with crushed stone minerality with a touch of salinity. The vineyard location allows for a maritime climate, with sunny, warm days leading to cool nights, ensuring fruit achieves full ripeness while the wine maintains fresh, clean acidity. It is a refreshing option and is ideal for sipping from spring into summer. Pair with seafood paella, spring vegetable salads, or light poultry dishes.

Though Cabernet Sauvignon reigns in Napa Valley, its white Bordeaux cousin Sauvignon Blanc also shines, particularly from wineries that embrace an Old World, cool-climate production style. Markham Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc blends fruit from three parts of the AVA, Oak Knoll, St. Helena, and Pope Valley, creating an expressive, energetic wine that has beautiful freshness and lively acidity.  Layers of golden citrus and white flowers blend with crushed stone, delivering a selection that pairs as beautifully with light spring fare as it does with Sunday afternoon catch-up sessions with best friends.