Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge competition rules 2026
• Only market ready wines may be entered.
• No tank or barrel samples will be accepted. If the wine is still unlabelled, please clearly mark it with the Producer name, Brand name, vintage and Wine of Origin.
• Where entries include (an) other cultivar(s), Chenin Blanc should make up at least 85% of the blend.
• Wines entered should not possess a residual sugar (RS) in excess of 12g/l. The organisers reserve the right to have this tested independently.
• There is no restriction on the number of wines that a producer may enter.
• Only one wine per producer can be included in the final Top 10.
• All vintages are accepted. If a wine has been selected as one of the Top 10 winning wines in either 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025 that specific vintage of the wine may not be entered again.
• A minimum amount of 142 cases x 6 (848 bottles) of each wine entered must be available at the cellar, for sale in the local market, from the date of entry in the competition until the results are announced on 11 September 2026. The organisers reserve the right to check stocks by means of physical inspections.
• Winners will receive R25 000 each and the money must be used to reinforce the economic and social benefits in the workplace and to the workforce. Top 10 finalists must notify the association of the prize money beneficiary before end of August 2026.
Online wine entry registration :
• Closing date for entries only: Friday 10th July 2026
• Membership fees must be paid by entry date.
• Each entry must be accompanied by WSR2A (with full analysis of the wine) and WSR4A certificates. Please email these to Leana: drinkchenin@gmail.com or send printed copies with the delivery of samples.
• Entry Fees Members: R1250-00 per wine. (Membership fees must be paid by entry date).
• Non Members: R2350-00 for first entry, which includes pro-rated membership fee until end of 2026.
• Additional wines’ entry fee will be R1250-00 per wine.
• The CBA is not VAT registered.
• Payment to be made by electronic transfer to:
Chenin Blanc Association
Standard Bank
Branch Code: 05 06 10
Acc No: 270256067
• One entry per wine, done via online form here.
• Entrants should complete and submit the form and then include the WSR2A/WSR4A and proof of payment with wine samples.
• Entry fees are not refundable.
Wine Samples delivery only 1-15 July 2026:
• 4 x 750ml bottles of each wine entered must be submitted to the judging panel for judging.
• Wine samples (4 bottles) of each entry must be packed separately in a carton.
• If the bottles have not yet been finally labelled, the following details are to be clearly indicated on a label on the bottles: Producer, Brand name, vintage and Wine of origin.
• Wine samples and proof of payment to be sent together to:
STANDARD BANK CHENIN BLANC TOP 10 CHALLENGE 2026
L’Avenir wine estate, R44, Stellenbosch ONLY from 1 July 2026 to 15 July 2026 between 09h00 and 16h00 Mondays to Fridays.
• No late entries will be accepted.
Directions:
• Deliver to the L’Avenir warehouse next to L’Avenir cellar.
• Coordinates: -33.884952, 18.842253
Judging:
• The judging will take place on 29-31 July 2026
• The top 20 wines will be announced week commencing 10th August
• The 10 winning wines will be announced 11th September 2026 at the awards ceremony hosted at Cavalli Wine and stud farm.
Obligations of producers of winning wines:
• The producers of the 10 winning wines must, when requested thereto, submit a copy of the WSR4A certificate by the Wine and Spirit Board.
• The winning producer will stick the Top 10 sticker to the bottle, before delivering the wines, as explained below.
• 200 bottles of winning wines to be made available to the sponsor, Standard Bank of SA, at trade price. The delivery of the wines will be as soon as possible – details to follow. CBA will inform each winning producer when these will be called in.
• 600 bottles of winning wines must be available and delivered to our trade partner, at wholesale price less 10%. Wine must be labelled and ready for delivery from the date of announcement.
• 48 bottles of winning wines must be provided free of charge to the Chenin Blanc Association for marketing purposes.
• Top 10 finalists must notify the association of the prize money beneficiary before end of August 2026.
General:
• Please note that entries without proof of payment, your wine will not be judged.
• Assessment will be done blind/labels out of sight.
• Stickers: 848 per winning wine will be supplied free to the producers. Extra stickers will be available for purchase on request.
• The winning wines will be announced at an award ceremony on 11th September 2026
• Enquiries to be addressed to Abi Mitton on 060 727 7882 or email: cheninblancasso@gmail.com