Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc

Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This stainless-steel-aged white earned Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for both its 2016 and 2017 vintages, establishing it as a consistent performer among Napa Sauvignon Blancs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  100% Sauvignon Blanc  |  Producer: Purple Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Produced by Purple Wine Company, Flint & Steel sources its Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Pope Valley, a sub-region situated above the main Napa Valley floor. Pope Valley's combination of cool evenings and warm daytime temperatures creates ideal growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, helping the fruit develop concentrated aromatics while retaining bright acidity. The grapes are hand harvested at night once Brix levels reach 24.5°, a deliberate decision to preserve the variety's delicate aromatic compounds and ensure balanced sugar-to-acid ratios. Fermentation and aging take place entirely in stainless steel, keeping the tropical and citrus character front and center without oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lively grapefruit and lime zest before unfolding into honeysuckle and a signature flinty minerality. That mineral edge — true to the wine's name — gives the aromatics a savory undercurrent that distinguishes it from purely fruit-driven Sauvignon Blancs.

Taste: On entry, juicy nectarine and mango dominate, giving the wine an immediate sense of tropical richness. The mid-palate broadens with kiwi, lemongrass, and freshly squeezed grapefruit, balanced by a citrus-melon backbone that keeps the fruit from feeling heavy. Some vintages reveal subtle marshmallow and vanilla bean undertones, adding a layer of unexpected decadence to the concentrated palate.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, with lingering grapefruit pith and a clean mineral snap. A thread of bright acidity carries through to the close, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

How to Drink Flint & Steel

Serve well chilled at around 45–50°F to let the tropical fruit and mineral notes shine at their best. This wine is expressive enough to enjoy on its own as an aperitif but has the acidity and weight to hold up in cocktails. A White Wine Spritzer highlights the grapefruit and honeysuckle without masking the minerality. A Hugo Spritz — with elderflower, mint, and soda — plays beautifully off the wine's lemongrass and floral notes. For something bolder, use it in a Wine Margarita, where the mango and lime character integrates naturally with citrus and agave.

Best For

• Warm-weather entertaining on a patio or poolside
• Pairing with a seafood-focused dinner party menu
• Introducing someone to Napa Valley whites beyond Chardonnay
• A host gift that punches above its weight with Gold Medal credentials

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flint & Steel taste like? Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc delivers ripe mango, nectarine, and grapefruit flavors layered over a mineral backbone with a flinty edge. It lands in a rich, concentrated style while staying balanced by bright citrus acidity.

How does Flint & Steel compare to Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc? Both are Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs, but Flint & Steel leans into a more tropically concentrated profile with prominent mango and nectarine, while Charles Krug tends toward a lighter, more classically herbaceous style. Flint & Steel's exclusive use of stainless steel aging also keeps it crisper and more fruit-forward than oak-touched alternatives.

Is Flint & Steel good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of ripe tropical fruit, citrus brightness, and mineral complexity makes it a satisfying standalone sipper. Serving it well chilled brings out the best balance between richness and refreshment.

Where is Flint & Steel made? Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Purple Wine Company using grapes sourced from Pope Valley, a sub-appellation within Napa Valley, California. Pope Valley sits above the main valley floor and benefits from a diurnal temperature swing that suits Sauvignon Blanc particularly well.

What foods pair well with Flint & Steel? Grilled shrimp or ceviche match the wine's citrus and tropical notes. Goat cheese salads echo its tangy acidity. Seared halibut with a lemongrass sauce mirrors the mid-palate herbal character. Thai green curry finds balance against the wine's fruit richness, and fresh oysters on the half shell complement the flinty mineral finish.

What sizes does Flint & Steel come in? Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Flint & Steel worth the price? Flint & Steel positions as a value-oriented Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, delivering Gold Medal-winning quality at a price point well below many Napa whites. For a stainless-steel-aged, hand-harvested wine from a respected sub-region, it represents strong value in its category.

Why Flint & Steel?

What sets this wine apart is the combination of thoughtful vineyard sourcing and meticulous harvest timing. Night harvesting at a precise 24.5° Brix preserves aromatic integrity that many machine-harvested competitors sacrifice, and the Pope Valley fruit source adds a genuine mineral dimension that earned the wine its name. Back-to-back Gold Medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition validate what the glass confirms: this is a Napa Sauvignon Blanc with real character and consistency. In a category often crowded with anonymous, fruit-only whites, Flint & Steel distinguishes itself through that unmistakable flinty mineral signature and a richer, more layered palate than its price would suggest.