Saboteur White Blend 2023, Luddite

The 2023 Saboteur White Blend from Luddite is as unruly and captivating as its name suggests. A wild-fermented, unfiltered blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Blanc Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc), it’s a textural, aromatic adventure from South Africa’s Bot River. Ripe white peach, apricot, citrus peel, and hints of smoke leap from the glass, while time on lees adds a savory, salty complexity and a supple, mouth-filling texture.

There’s no oak overkill here—just the subtle framing of neutral barrels, allowing the wine’s natural vibrancy to shine. 10 days of skin contact add texture and depth, and the finish is both crisp and generous, with an edge of minerality that ties it all together.

Pair it with dishes that play with richness and spice: miso black cod, dukkah-dusted cauliflower, or a Moroccan chicken tagine with preserved lemon. This is a white wine for red wine lovers—or for anyone looking to shake up their dinner table with something bold, layered, and beautifully offbeat.

About the Winery

Luddite is a proudly independent, small-scale winery tucked into the Bot River region of South Africa’s Western Cape. Founded in 1999 by Niels and Penny Verburg, Luddite takes its name from the 19th-century textile workers who rebelled against industrialization. The Verburgs, kindred spirits to that rebellion, established the winery with a fierce commitment to minimal intervention and old-school winemaking methods—eschewing unnecessary technology in favor of a more elemental approach.

Their vineyard sits on the eastern slopes of the Houw Hoek mountains, where shale and decomposed granite soils give structure and minerality to the wines. The region benefits from cool ocean breezes that moderate the climate and extend the growing season, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and retain freshness.

While Luddite is best known for its bold, age-worthy Syrah, the Saboteur line—created as a more playful, approachable counterpoint—has developed its own cult following. These wines are made with the same attention to detail but lean into wild fermentations, unfiltered textures, and boundary-pushing blends.

The Saboteur White Blend reflects the house style: vibrant, untamed, and proudly South African. Grapes are sourced from carefully selected parcels, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in a combination of old oak and concrete to preserve texture without adding too much oak influence. The result? A wine that’s equal parts grit and grace.