Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc

Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc is a California Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County's North Coast, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. What distinguishes this wine from many peers in its category is a dual-fermentation approach — partial barrel fermentation with sur-lie aging in 60-gallon oak barrels alongside stainless steel fermentation — giving it a layered texture uncommon at this price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Dry White Wine  |  Winery: Clos du Bois (Est. 1974)

Production & Heritage

Clos du Bois was founded in 1974 by Frank Woods in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, one of California's most respected winegrowing regions. The Sauvignon Blanc draws fruit from Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, and the broader North Coast — each sub-region contributing distinct character. The winemaking team ferments a portion of the juice in stainless steel tanks to preserve bright melon and crisp grapefruit notes, while a second portion undergoes barrel fermentation and sur-lie aging in 60-gallon oak barrels, adding body and textural complexity. A small addition of Sémillon softens any herbaceous edges, rounding out the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The wine opens with lively lime zest and lemongrass, shifting into brighter layers of white peach and melon. A faint green-herbal thread — capsicum and cut grass — emerges underneath, adding classic varietal character.

Taste: Entry is crisp and immediate, led by white grapefruit and gooseberry. The mid-palate broadens with juicy tropical notes of just-ripe pineapple and sour kiwi, while delicate floral undertones weave through. High acidity keeps everything taut and energized, with the sur-lie aging contributing a subtle creaminess that softens the citrus bite without dulling it.

Finish: Clean and lingering, with a thread of minerality anchoring the final impression. Zesty citrus and a whisper of lemongrass carry through to a dry, refreshing close.

How to Drink Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc

Serve well-chilled at 45–50°F to let the citrus and tropical aromatics shine. This wine works beautifully on its own as a standalone sipper but also holds its own in wine-based cocktails. A White Wine Spritzer benefits from its natural acidity and effervescent quality. A Hugo Spritz — elderflower, prosecco, and a splash of Sauvignon Blanc — plays well off the wine's floral undertones. For something bolder, use it as the base in a Wine Margarita, where the grapefruit and lime notes complement tequila and citrus juice naturally.

Best For

• Warm-weather patio drinking with friends
• Pairing with a seafood dinner or summer salad course
• Introducing someone to California Sauvignon Blanc
• Stocking a house wine for casual entertaining

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc taste like? It leads with crisp white grapefruit and gooseberry, transitions through tropical pineapple and kiwi at mid-palate, and finishes with clean minerality and lingering citrus. High acidity gives it a lively, energizing quality.

How does Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc compare to Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc? Kim Crawford, sourced from Marlborough, New Zealand, leans heavily into pungent passionfruit and herbaceous intensity typical of that region, while Clos Du Bois draws on Sonoma County fruit and partial oak aging for a rounder, softer mouthfeel with more melon and stone-fruit character. The Clos Du Bois also incorporates Sémillon in the blend, adding weight that the single-varietal Kim Crawford does not have.

Is Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance of bright acidity, tropical fruit, and subtle creaminess from sur-lie aging makes it enjoyable neat and well-chilled. It works equally well as a casual sipper or alongside food.

Where is Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc made? Clos Du Bois is based in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, California, where it was established in 1974. The Sauvignon Blanc sources grapes from Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, and the surrounding North Coast appellation.

What foods pair well with Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc? Grilled white fish or shrimp complement the wine's citrus brightness. Goat cheese salads echo its tangy acidity. Ceviche or poke bowls match the tropical fruit notes. Herb-roasted chicken aligns with its subtle herbal undertones. Light pasta dishes with lemon-butter sauces mirror the wine's clean, zesty finish.

What sizes does Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is widely available.

Is Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc worth the price? Clos Du Bois positions as an entry-level to mid-range California Sauvignon Blanc, and the dual-fermentation method — combining stainless steel freshness with oak barrel complexity — delivers more textural interest than many wines at this tier. It represents solid value for everyday drinking.

Why Clos Du Bois Sauvignon Blanc?

The split-fermentation technique is the real differentiator here. While most Sauvignon Blancs in this price range rely entirely on stainless steel to preserve varietal freshness, Clos Du Bois commits a portion to barrel fermentation and sur-lie aging in 60-gallon oak, building a subtle richness that rewards attentive drinking. The multi-appellation sourcing from Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, and the North Coast gives the winemaking team a broad palette to work with, contributing both tropical warmth and cool-climate acidity to the final blend. For a daily-pour Sauvignon Blanc from a winery with five decades of Sonoma County experience, it delivers reliable quality vintage after vintage.