The 2025 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top Ten Challenge winners are in and once again, these champions of South African winemaking will be showcased at ProWine Shanghai in Mainland China. Later this year, the wines will be profiled through Standard Bank’s extensive Africa-China trade corridor expertise to drive export opportunities for South Africa’s premium wine producers in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
The Standard Bank Top Ten Winners are:
- Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar’s 221 Chenin Blanc 2024
- Chamonix Wine Farm’s Old Vine Steen 2024
- Du Toitskloof Winery’s Pierre Du Mont 2024
- Joostenberg Wines’ Die Agteros Chenin Blanc 2024
- Ken Forrester Wines’ The FMC 2024
- Roodekrantz Wines Die Kliphuis 2024
- Stellenrust’s Stellenbosch Manor Barrel fermented Chenin Blanc 2024
- Stellenrust’s Stellenbosch Manor Chenin Blanc 2024
- Stellenrust‘s B28 Chenin Blanc 2024
- Stettyn Family Vineyards’s Shackleton Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2024
The annual competition, now in its 12th year, identified the country’s top Chenin Blanc wines from among 140 Chenin Blanc Association (CBA) member producers. All winners will benefit from Standard Bank’s comprehensive trade facilitation services to access China’s 1.4 billion consumers. “In today’s challenging geopolitical trade environment, South Africa’s wine industry needs strategic partners who understand both local production excellence and international market complexities,” said Brendan Jacobs, Head of Agribusiness, Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa.
“Our participation at ProWine Shanghai demonstrates how we’re transforming South Africa’s agricultural excellence into tangible export opportunities. Leveraging our strategic relationship with ICBC Bank in China, we provide our clients with end-to-end trade solutions –from identifying premium products through competitions like the Chenin Blanc Challenge to facilitating market access through matchmaking with potential Chinese buyers.,” Jacobs added.
South Africa commands 51% of global Chenin Blanc production , positioning the country as the undisputed leader in this versatile varietal. Wine represents South Africa’s second-largest agricultural export after citrus, with nearly 50% of all South African wine exported to 130 countries, valued at approximately R9.9 billion annually. noted Jacobs. “This trend creates significant opportunities for South African Chenin Blanc producers who can demonstrate quality and authenticity, ensuring our wines can stand proudly on the international stage.”
Standard Bank’s Africa-China Trade Solutions team, in partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), addresses the complex challenges of accessing Chinese markets including trade regulations, cultural barriers, and buyer identification.
Recent initiatives include:
- Organising specialised Chenin Blanc masterclasses at ProWine Shanghai 2024
- Providing professional translation services for client meetings
- Connecting South African wineries with vetted Chinese buyers through ICBC networks
- Partnering with Wines of South Africa (WOSA), Wesgro, and Western Cape Government Department of Agriculture
- Subsidising exhibition costs and handling logistics for trade missions
“Our comprehensive approach combines agricultural sector expertise with international trade facilitation,” said Jacobs. “We understand that premium wine export success requires both exceptional product quality, which our Chenin Blanc Challenge identifies, and sophisticated market access strategies.”
The wine industry employs over 270,000 people in South Africa.. Chenin Blanc represents nearly 20% of all South African wine plantings and contributes significantly to the country’s R55 billion wine industry, noted Jacobs.
Standard Bank’s Agribusiness division supports the wine industry through specialised financial products, market intelligence, and trade facilitation services designed for agricultural exporters navigating complex international markets.
The Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top Ten Challenge, launched in 2014, combines wine excellence recognition with community support, ensuring prize money contributes to farm worker development initiatives. This dual approach reflects Standard Bank’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
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Fun South African Fact: Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world and one of the planet’s 12 main energy centres, radiating magnetic, electric or spiritual energy.
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