The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge has crowned Briar Ridge Vineyard Block 7 Chardonnay 2023 as Australia’s best for 2024.

The win follows the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion including 10 Briar Ridge wines, all rated over 92 points with four rated over 95 points.

Chair of Judges Adam Wadewitz (above) said the final Chardonnay taste off “was extremely close which highlighted the strength of the last few cool vintages.”

He said the Briar Ridge Block 7 Chardonnay from the Orange Wine Region in NSW had “distinct character and managed the trifecta of flavour, acidity and complexity all packed into an energetic, charming framework.”

The Chardonnay judging was run concurrently with the James Halliday Cabernet Challenge, a celebration of the world’s most famous two varieties and Australia’s outstanding regional diversity.

Great Southern’s Forest Hill Vineyard Block 5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 was the 2024 Challenge trophy winner for Cabernet.

The Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley jointly run the Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenges in alternate years.

The 2024 judging of 622 wines from 37 regions was held in Margaret River at McHenry Hohnen winery last week.

“One of the best features of the show is that it shines a light on all the places in Australia where these varieties are foundations of their regions,” said

“When the vintage clicks with that region the great wines really shine through.”

Chardonnay ‘Best of Region’ winners

Adelaide Hills: Orlando Lyndale Chardonnay 2022
Beechworth: Brokenwood Wines Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
Eden Valley: St Hugo Wines Eden Valley Chardonnay 2023
Hunter Valley: Silkman Wines Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Langhorne Creek: Saddler’s Creek Wines Winemaker’s Craft Pump Shed Chardonnay 2023
Margaret River: Stones + Thunder Calm Before The Storm Chardonnay 2023
Mornington Peninsula: Handpicked® Wines Wines Collection Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2022
Pemberton: Below & Above Wines Chardonnay 2020
Sunbury: Marnong Estate Chardonnay 2022
Tasmania: Handpicked® Wines Wines Collection Tasmania Chardonnay 2022
Tumbarumba: Hungerford Hill Wines Chardonnay 2023
Yarra Valley: Handpicked® Wines Wines Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022

Cabernet ‘Best of Region’ winners

Barossa Valley: Peter Lehmann The Barossan Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Clare Valley: Knappstein Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Coonawarra: Nightfall Wines Draco Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River: Xanadu Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
McLaren Vale: Chapel Hill Winery The MV McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley: Giant Steps Wines Sexton Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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