Hella Chenin Wine Fest, Berkeley, CA, May 16th, 2026

Hella Chenin Wine Fest — Tickets ARE LIVE

This is a one-day, Chenin-only festival built by people who take the grape seriously. 40+ wineries from California, South Africa, Australia, and Oregon.

:round_pushpin: Where: Hammerling Wines
:date: When: May 16, 2026
:money_bag: GA: $75
:microphone: Panel: +$25 (very limited seating)
**:admission_tickets: Tickets: Through the Hella Chenin Wine Fest Website

What it is
Hella Chenin was founded by Peter Andrews (Culture Wine Co.), Josh Hammerling (Hammerling Wines), and Marty Winters & Alex Pitts (Maître de Chai).

The goal is simple: give Chenin Blanc the spotlight it deserves and support the family-run wineries that keep it alive.

The wines
70+ Chenin Blancs from South Africa, California, Oregon, and Australia. Old vines, modern expressions, classic references—the full spectrum.

Schedule

  • 11:00–12:00 — Trade Seminar
    Chenin Blanc in a Changing Wine Culture
    Moderator: Madeline Puckette
    Speakers: Niels Verburg (Luddite Wines) & Bree Stock, MW, Limited Addition Wines, Oregon

  • 12:00–1:30 — Trade Tasting
    Buyers, somms, and media taste directly with winemakers

  • 1:30–5:00 — Consumer Tasting
    Table-to-table pours, food from Bay Area chefs, oysters from Lo-Fi Oyster Co., live music

Producers pouring include (partial list):
Rall Wines • Luddite Wines • Aslina • Scions of Sinai • Sandlands • Haarmeyer Wine Cellars • Pax Wines • Littorai • Ridge Vineyards …and 35+ More!

This isn’t a one-off tasting—it’s the beginning of an annual Chenin community.

5 Likes