Chenin Blanc Association

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Chenin Blanc Association

Association of South African producers vigorously promoting great wines made from Chenin Blanc vines.

06/09/2026

Only 5 days to go until the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge winners are announced 🥂✨

The has already given us a strong view of this year’s judging field. Every wine was assessed blind by the panel, allowing quality, structure and varietal expression to lead the process.

For the winning producers, the recognition also carries impact beyond the award itself. Each Top 10 winner receives R25 000 to support economic and social benefits in the workplace and workforce, continuing the Challenge’s long-standing link between excellence in and meaningful industry contribution.

The final will be revealed on 11th September.

05/09/2026

As the countdown to the final continues, we place a spotlight on another four wines recognised in the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge Top 20.

💫 Darling Cellars | Hannuwa Amphora Chenin Blanc 2024
💫 DaschBosch | Mossiesdrift Steen 2025
💫 Diemersfontein | Thokozani Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 Groot Phesantekraal | Anna de Koning 2024

The judging process is blind, with each wine assessed on balance, structure, varietal expression and overall quality. Chenin Blanc gives winemakers room to work with texture, freshness, oak, lees, older vineyards and precise picking decisions. With the final 2026 Top 10 being announced on 11th September, it’s an exciting time for South African Chenin Blanc!

04/09/2026

The road to the 2026 continues, and today we place a spotlight on the first group of wines recognised in this year’s Top 20 of the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge.

💫 Beaumont Family Wines | Hope Marguerite 2025
💫 Bellevue Wine Estate | Heritage Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 Bellingham Wines | The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2025
💫 City on a Hill | Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024

We have established benchmarks and distinctive old vine expressions, and these wines show how Chenin Blanc continues to carry site, cellar work and vintage with remarkable clarity in South Africa

The final Top 10 will be announced on 11th September.

Until then, the question remains: which wines will take their place in the 2026 Standard Bank ?

13/08/2026

🥁 The official 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 20 Challenge is here! 🥂

We are proud to present the official Top 20 wines for 2026. With the depth and quality of in South Africa, earning a place in this line-up is a remarkable achievement - congratulations to all producers!

💫 | Hope Marguerite 2025
💫 | Heritage Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2025
💫 | Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
💫 | Hannuwa Amphora Chenin Blanc 2024
💫 | Mossiesdrift Steen 2025
💫 | Thokozani Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | Anna de Koning 2024
💫 | Anna de Koning 2025
💫 | Kliprug Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | The FMC 2025
💫 | Lightning Chenin Blanc 2024
💫 | The Dry Land Collection Courageous Barrel-Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | Mothership Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | 61 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | La Cave Chenin Blanc 2025
💫 | Terroirs Chenin Blanc 2024
💫 | Chenin Blanc 2022

A huge congratulations to all producers and their teams. The Challenge continues to show the strength, range and ambition of South African Chenin Blanc, from old vine heritage to bold modern expressions.

Now the guessing begins. Which wines do you think will make the final Top 10?

The 2026 winners will be announced on 11 September - we can’t wait to share them with you!

02/08/2026

We have wrapped up a strong week of judging for the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge.

Our thanks go to the judging panel for the expertise they brought to the tasting room, and to every producer who entered wines into this year’s Challenge. Each entry plays a role in showing the depth, ambition and continued progress of South African .

The results are now one step closer, and we cannot wait to share the wines that will form the 2026 .

Winners will be announced on 11 September 2026.

01/08/2026

Judging is still underway for the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge.

Over these few days, our panel is tasting through this year’s entries blind, assessing each wine on its individual merit. With showing such breadth across South Africa, the process involves focus, careful discussion and a great understanding of how the variety performs across different vineyards, regions and winemaking approaches.

We look forward to seeing what the 2026 results will reveal about the current strength and direction of South African Chenin Blanc.

The winners will be announced on 11 September 2026.

31/07/2026

Judging for the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge has officially begun.

The glasses are lined up, the wines are poured and the labels remain out of sight. Our judging panel is ready for a focused few days of tasting through some of South Africa’s leading entries.

This year’s panel brings together technical experience, cellar insight, sommelier perspective and a deep understanding of the variety’s range. As always, the Challenge looks at Chenin Blanc across style, origin and expression, with the final Top 10 representing wines that show balance, clarity, structure and excellence in the glass.

We wish our judges a strong first week and look forward to seeing the 2026 begin to take shape.

14/07/2026

Chenin Blanc is one of the most adaptable tools in the kitchen, not just a wine for the glass but one that works seamlessly alongside food. Its natural balance of acidity, fruit and structure makes it a reliable choice across a wide range of cooking styles and ingredients.

From a technical perspective, Chenin’s acidity is key. It lifts sauces, cuts through richness and helps maintain freshness in dishes that might otherwise feel heavy. In reductions, that acidity keeps flavours focused rather than flat. In seafood or poultry dishes, it complements without overwhelming, while in cream-based preparations it brings contrast and clarity.

Its versatility extends further. In drier styles, Chenin adds precision and brightness to dishes like risottos, beurre blanc or pan sauces. In sweeter expressions, it can be used to glaze fruit, build depth in desserts or balance spice in more complex dishes. Its flavour profile, often sitting between orchard fruit, citrus and subtle honeyed notes, allows it to integrate rather than dominate.

For both chefs and home cooks, Chenin Blanc offers consistency and flexibility. It performs across techniques, adapts to different flavour profiles, and brings a sense of balance that is often the difference between a good dish and a considered one.

10/07/2026

Introducing Janine van Zyl, Cape Wine Master, one of the new judges joining the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge panel.

Enter the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge here: https://shorturl.at/Xcmww

Janine brings significant experience as a wine professional and IWSC judge. Her background adds international judging perspective to a panel focused on identifying the top expressions of South African .

As entries are assessed blind, each wine must stand on its own merit. Janine’s experience will add depth to the conversation around structure, balance, ageability and the many stylistic forms Chenin Blanc can take.

We are delighted to welcome her to the 2026 judging panel.

08/07/2026

Introducing Le Roi van de Vyver, sommelier and owner of Cabo Wines, who joins the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge judging panel.

Enter the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge here: https://shorturl.at/Xcmww

Le Roi is widely regarded for his tasting ability, insight and work within the South African wine trade. As a sommelier, he brings a strong understanding of how wine performs beyond the cellar – at the table, in service, and in conversation with consumers.

That perspective is especially valuable in a category as broad as . From freshness and precision to texture, depth and longevity, the asks each judge to consider how the variety expresses excellence across style and origin.

We are pleased to welcome Le Roi to the panel for 2026.

Address

Stellenbosch
7599

Telephone

0824674331

Website

http://www.chenin.co.za/

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