Vititec Sauvignon blanc clones

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SA Vitis Varietal list July 2025

Exciting New ENTAV-INRA Clones Enhance South Africa’s Wine Industry

Since concluding an import contract with ENTAV in 2006, Vititec has made significant strides in enriching South Africa’s viticulture landscape, importing 33 new cultivars and 90 new clones from France. The latest batch, received from plant quarantine in July 2025, introduces a selection of high-performing and disease-resistant clones poised to elevate local wine production. 

Voltis

 Latest Imports: 

The July 2025 imports include a range of cultivars and clones tailored to meet diverse production and quality needs: 

    • Chardonnay 132: High-yielding, ideal for sparkling wine production. 

    • Chardonnay 1067: Moderate yield with exceptional wine quality. 

    • Chenin Blanc 416: High yielding, producing wines true to the cultivar’s character. 

    • Sauvignon Blanc 107 & 160: Both high yielding, delivering wines representative of the cultivar. 

    • Voltis 1266: A disease-resistant cultivar, offering resilience against fungal diseases. 

    • 101-14 Mgt 759: A promising addition for rootstock purposes. 

The imports of Chardonnay 132, Chenin Blanc 416, and Sauvignon Blanc 107 and 160 aim to release high-production clones into the market, boosting yields for local growers. Meanwhile, Chardonnay 1067 and Voltis 1266 are re-imports of selections that previously did not survive quarantine. 

 Expanding the Vineyard: Mother and Foundation Blocks 

Of the ENTAV imports, 73 new clones have already been planted in Mother or Foundation blocks, ensuring the availability of certified, high-quality planting material for South African producers. The 20 most widely planted ENTAV clones in these blocks are detailed in the accompanying table

 

Sauvignon gris

 Origin - France

This cultivar is a grey mutation of Sauvignon blanc

Imported from ENTAV, France in 2013.

First grafted in 2016 in Stellenbosch.

Plantings in 2024:

Foundation Blocks – 419

Mother Blocks - 2021

Description

The description matches that of Sauvignon blanc, except the skin color of ripe berries, which in this case, is usually grey or sometimes pink.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: 3 days after Sauvignon blanc

Time of maturity: early mid season, same as Sauvignon blanc.

Production

Sauvignon gris is less productive than Sauvignon blanc.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

The susceptibility of this cultivar is very similar to Sauvignon blanc.

Clone

GX 917 – average production, wine are full bodied and aromatic

Type of wine/Flavours

Sauvignon Gris typically has a more subdued aromatic profile compared to Sauvignon Blanc. It features notes of white peach, elderflower, nectarine, and lavender, with succulent passionfruit and quince flavors in the mid-palate.

Texture: Wines made from Sauvignon Gris often exhibit a silky texture with a slight waxiness, contributing to a richer mouthfeel. This varietal has high sugar content and good acidity, creating a balance between sweetness and freshness. The overall flavor is rounder and less aggressive compared to Sauvignon Blanc

Chenel

Origin and cultivation background

South African-bred white wine grape cross by Prof. Offer, with Chenin blanc and Trebbiano as combination parents, released in 1974. Trials over the years have shown that Chenel is very resistant to berry cracking and rainy weather, and that it is virtually immune to botrytis and sour rot, even under the worst conditions. It has produced excellent results using intensive cultivation methods, for example irrigation and high trellising, with high yields and balanced wines that in some cases have a floral bouquet on fermentation. Although Chenel initially enjoyed active interest, particularly in irrigated regions, it has never been planted on a large scale. It is currently cultivated in all the regions, with the exception of Malmesbury. The largest concentration is found in the Robertson area, followed by Worcester.

Cultivation characteristics

Vigorous, medium-dense and well adapted to various climatic regions. Because of its resistance to rot and strong vigor, it is usually cultivated on fertile, low-lying soils under irrigation in warmer regions. Under these conditions, in conjunction with high trellising, yields of 23 to 27 ton/ha are produced when spur pruned. Fairly resistant to odium and downy mildew, and virtually immune to botrytis and sour rot. Usually produces neutral table wines with good balance.

Chenel has good compatibility with commercial rootstocks.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Yield potential

16-20 tons per ha

Average sugar concentration

20-22°B

Average acid concentration

6-8 g/l

Clone characteristics

Only one clone, CH 35 is available. CH 35 exhibits high vigor with above-average yields.

No specific cultivar characteristics - typically have a neutral flavor.

MORPHOLOGY

Shoot tips

Felty, white.

Leaves

Medium-sized, round, weakly three-lobed, dull green, blistered, webby underneath.

The petiole sinus is narrowly V-shaped, lateral sinuses very shallow. The teeth are slightly convex and pointed. The veins and petioles are green.

Bunches

Medium and fairly long, cylindrical, slightly shouldered, well filled but not compact.

Wing bunches are often well-developed.

The peduncle is of medium length.

Berries

Medium-sized, short oval. Thin, tough skin.

The pulp is juicy with a neutral taste.

PHENOLOGY

Bud burst

First half of September (approximately 5 days later than Chenin blanc).

Flowering

First half of November (4 to 5 days later than Chenin blanc).

Ripening

Late mid-season, last half of February to first half of March (4 to 7 days later than

 

 

Vititec clone information 2024