Chenin blanc is used to make a range of wines from sparklings to sweet whites that and are some of the world’s most long-lived wines. Chenin is the hero of France’s Loire Valley and South Africa’s most important white variety. It also thrives in Western Australia’s Swan Valley, where after 190 years of wine making, a renaissance is in full swing.
The Australian Chenin Blanc Challenge took place in the Swan Valley in September with more than 60 wines being put to the judges. The vast majority of wines were sourced from WA, including 35 from the Swan Valley and 20 from the Margaret River wine region. The top four awards all went to Swan Valley wineries, including:
| Best Chenin Blanc of Australia | Windy Creek Chenin Blanc 2022 |
| Best Mature Wine 2020 and Older Vintages | Torrent Wines La Famiglia Chenin Blanc 2019 |
| Best Table Wine 2022-2021 Vintage | Windy Creek Chenin Blanc 2022 |
| Best Table Wine 2024-2023 Vintage | John Kosovich Wines Mara Chenin Blanc 2023 |
There were three other gold medals awarded on the night, including two to Margaret River wineries and one more Swan Valley winery.
| Forester Winery, Margaret River | Lifestyle Chenin Blanc 2024 |
| Oakover Vineyards, Swan Valley | Nikola Estate Chenin Blanc 2023 |
| Lenton Brae, Margaret River | In Good Hands Chenin Blanc 2022 |
