Welcome to the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge

In the time it has taken James Halliday to compile his 26 Australian Wine Companions, the Chardonnay grape has emigrated to almost every hill and vale across our viticultural landscape. No other variety has adapted more successfully, from single barrel selections to vast commercial blends. No other inspires such singular focus in our winemakers to sharpen their craft. No other sends vignerons searching, with gold fever, for that next hill, or clone, or aspect.

In our show’s short history, it has grown in stature and purpose to become a highly professional and influential show. Our judging panel has quickly established a formidable reputation for identifying the very best in modern chardonnay, across the full gamut of Australian styles.

This is a wine show whose only agenda is to track down, appreciate and reward the best that Australian chardonnay can offer, a philosophy we share in common with our patron, James Halliday.

James Halliday – “Chardonnay is enjoying its spring weather, after a prolonged, dark winter. Winemakers, wine writers, retailers, restaurateurs and consumers are all agreed: it is better than ever before. But winemakers, being winemakers, are not content to rest on their laurels. The challenge is (as ever) to make even better wines next vintage (and each vintage thereafter) than ever before. And this is what the Challenge is all about.”

2017 Chardonnay Challenge

…and the winners are!

 Trophy Winning Wines

2017 Trophy
Congratulations to Amelia Park Wines

2016 Trophy
Congratulations to Penfolds Wines

2015 Trophy
Congratulations to Silkman Wines

2014 Trophy
Congratulations to Deep Woods Estate

2013 Trophy
Congratulations to B Seppelt & Sons

2012 Trophy 
Congratulations to Penfolds Wines.