FAIR OR nonsensical? “While producers may enter multiple wines in the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, only one wine per producer can be included in the final Top 10.” A rule introduced (and later retracted) by the competition organisers to ensure that “the final selection reflects not only individual excellence, but also a broader view of the country’s leading producers and regional expressions.” This follows a number of years during which Stellenbosch wine producer Stellenrust has dominated the Top 10 awards with multiple expressions of the variety, and once again, in 2026, the team headed by cellarmaster Tertius Boshoff, winemaker Herman du Preez and viticulturist Kobie van der Westhuizen have multiple Top 10 contenders among the Top 20 finalists announced in advance of the prize-giving on 11 September.
While it's not impossible, it's highly unlikely that none of the Stellenrust/ArtiSons finalists will be chosen as one of the 10 winning wines. Similarly, the team at Groot Phesantekraal of Durbanville must be confident that at least one of their two vintages that made the Top 20 will qualify for the Top 10. Wines among the 2026 Challenge finalists that have already received good reviews from other top panels earlier in the year include the 2025 vintage of the following: Bellingham Bernard Series Limited Release, Ken Forrester FMC, Perdeberg Dry Land Barrel Fermented and Stettyn Old Vines. While the 2026 finalists who were also finalists in 2025 including: Ken Forrester (FMC), Stellenrust (Barrel Fermented) and Stettyn (Old Vines).
The panel of judges on this occasion: Cape Wine Master Ginette de Fleuriot (chair), Delheim winemaker Nongcebo Langa, Cape Wine Master Janine van Zyl as well as sommeliers Shane Mumba and Le Roi van de Vyver, owner of Cabo Wines.
NOTE: Subsequent to the publication of this post, the Chenin Blanc Association informed Top Wine SA that the wording in a communication of theirs “did not reflect the final position for the 2026 Challenge”. For an update, click here.
South Africa's Chenin Blanc Challenge was founded by WINE Magazine and industry veteran Michael Fridjhon in 1996. In 2014, some years after the magazine folded, the country's Chenin Blanc Association picked up the baton under the leadership of variety ambassador Ken Forrester with support from Standard Bank.
TOP 20 FINALISTS
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2025
R480pb ex-cellar, Bot River
Bellevue Heritage Chenin Blanc 2025
R600pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2025
R260pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
City on a Hill Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
Price t.b.c. – Swartland producer
Darling Cellars Hunnuwa Amphora Chenin Blanc 2024
R306pb ex-cellar, Darling
DaschBosch Mossiesdrift Steen 2025
R250pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning Chenin 2024
R285pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning Chenin 2025
R285pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Kaapzicht Kliprug Chenin Blanc 2025
R265pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Ken Forrester FMC 2025
R970pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
La Cave Chenin Blanc 2025
R145pb ex-Wellington Wines
Mothership Chenin Blanc 2025 (ArtiSons)
R550pb ex-Stellenrust, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Painted Wolf Lightning Chenin Blanc 2024
R185pb ex-producer, Simondium-Paarl
Perdeberg Dry Land Barrel Fermented Chenin 2025
R212pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025
R300pb ex-producer, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2025
R200pb ex-producer, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Stettyn Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2025
R250pb ex-cellar, Stettyn-Worcester
Thokozani Chenin Blanc 2025
R 145pb ex-Diemersfontein cellar, Wellington
Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc 2024
R325pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Zoetendal Chenin Blanc 2022
R330pb ex-cellar, Elim-Cape Agulhas