Usana, which is the Xhosa name for new beginnings, was started by Jennie and Naomi Joubert in January 2003. They had married into the Joubert family who for eight generations have been growing grapes on the slopes of Stellenbosch Kloof and Devon Valley in the Stellenbosch region.

Living and working on the farms made them eager to get more involved with production and after a lengthy Sunday lunch with friends, they decided to make their own wine and so Usana was born.

"We began with our Sauvignon Blanc and set our sights on specific blocks of vineyard which our husbands had always spoken highly of. This of course took serious negotiation but finally we bought the grapes off them!"

They approached well-known Sauvignon Blanc winemaker, Mike Dobrovic of Mulderbosch for assistance. He admired Jennie and Naomi's determination and enthusiasm to go ahead on their own, and came on board to make the wine.

The Usana Sauvignon Blanc is so good, that every vintage produced has been sold out!

Social awareness has always been an important part of Usana's identity and with this in mind they started 'Sole Prints'. This project undertakes to buy a pair of school shoes and a pair of Wellington boots once a year for the 70 children on the farms.

Another Usana initiative is a sponsorship programme whereby any of the children who show great potential, either academically or on the sports field, will be given the financial support to enable them to move to the next level. Their mission statement says:

"Our wish is to pave a way for a brighter future for the children living on our farm, keeping in touch with the everyday needs to ensure all potential knows no bounds."

The Usana Sauvignon Blanc 2008 is a well-balanced medium-bodied wine, with green pepper and gooseberry aromas following onto delicious flavours of ripened figs and tropical fruit on the palate with a grassy herbaceous finish.

Expect to pay R55.

To order this wine contact Wine Concepts.