Two Stellenbosch wines feature among the coveted 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10, which recognises the exceptional quality, diversity and continued evolution of South Africa’s national heritage white grape variety.

The two wines – Stellenrust ArtiSons Family Winery Mother Ship Chenin Blanc 2025 and Stellenrust 61 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025 – were among the 150 entries from 97 producers, representing 36 Wine of Origin (WO) classifications.

Following three days of rigorous blind judging, the top 10 were selected, with six wines originating from certified heritage vineyards of 35 years or older.

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Quality on display

Chenin blanc accounts for 18,4% of South Africa’s vineyard area, with 15 948,58 ha planted nationally according to 2025 SAWIS statistics. Some 2 008 of SA’s 2 176 grape growers grow chenin blanc.

Founded in 2000, the Chenin Blanc Association is dedicated to promoting, protecting and developing the variety, with the challenge providing an important platform for recognising excellence and demonstrating the diversity and potential of South African Chenin Blanc.

Chair judge Ginette de Fleuriot, Cape Wine Master and wine and training manager at Vinimark, says the 2026 judging demonstrated the quality, diversity and individuality of the category: “The strongest wines combined pure fruit, freshness and elegance with enough restraint to allow minerality and site expression to come through. Collectively, they reaffirm SA’s reputation as a world leader in chenin blanc.”

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More than a competition

The 2026 challenge marks 13 years of partnership between Standard Bank and the Chenin Blanc Association, with Standard Bank serving as headline sponsor since 2014.

Community upliftment is a fundamental part of the challenge. Each winning producer receives
R25 000 to invest in a social upliftment or community initiative.

Over the years, more than R3 million has been directed towards projects supporting wine-growing communities, including education, food security, children’s development, worker wellbeing, improved living conditions and community infrastructure.

Ken Forrester, chairperson of the Chenin Blanc Association, says: “We wanted the challenge to be about more than simply winning a cash prize. From the outset, it was important that the prize money was invested back into the farming communities that underpin our wine industry, rather than being spent on an arbitrary item. Thirteen years on, we are incredibly proud that more than R3 million has gone towards initiatives making a real difference to people’s lives.”

For the first time, the challenge partnered with Brice & Burnett as its exclusive retail partner, giving wine lovers across South Africa access to all 10 winning wines through a single specialist retailer.

2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10:

• Beaumont Family Wines Hope Marguerite 2025 – WO Bot River, Walker Bay
• City on a Hill Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Swartland
• DaschBosch Mossiesdrift Steen 2025 – WO Breedekloof
• Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning 2024 – WO Cape Town (Durbanville)
• Painted Wolf Wines Lightning Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Wellington
• Stellenrust ArtiSons Family Winery Mother Ship Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stellenbosch
• Stellenrust 61 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stellenbosch
• Stettyn Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025 – WO Stettyn
• Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc 2024 – WO Paarl
• Zoetendal Chenin Blanc 2022 – WO Coastal