I’ve organized many Chenin Blanc tastings over the years for my tasting groups, but only recently have Washington state wineries produced enough variety to support an “All Washington Chenin blanc” lineup. Back in the 1980s, Chenin Blanc was one of the premier white grapes in Washington. It feels exciting that the grape seems to be having a renaissance right now.
The consensus from our tasting was that the winemaking process really impacts the style - new vs. old oak barrel, stainless steel tank and drum, concrete egg, and combinations thereof. Below is the lineup we tasted, listed in alphabetical order:
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Betz 2025 Carte Blanche Chenin Blanc: Upland Vineyard, Yakima Valley
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Bookwalter 2025 Readers Chenin Blanc: Lawrence Vineyards Corfu Crossing, Royal Slope
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Efeste 2025 Adrienne Chenin Blanc: Oldfield Estate, Yakima Valley
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JM 2025 Concrete Chenin Blanc: Wallula Gap, The Benches Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
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JM 2025 Oak Chenin Blanc: Wallula Gap, The Benches Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills (Sneak preview; releasing this fall)
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Laterus 2025 Chenin Blanc: Wallula Gap, Horse Heaven Hills
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L’Ecole No. 41 2025 Chenin Blanc: Phil Church Vineyard, Yakima Valley
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L’Ecole No. 41 2024 Chenin Blanc Old Vines: Phil Church, Upland and Willard Vineyards
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Lobo Hills 2024 Chenin Blanc: McKinley Springs Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
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Maryhill 2022 Chenin Blanc: Roza Hills Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills
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Orr 2024 Chenin Blanc: Upland, Roza Hills and Holmason Vineyards
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Orr 2025 Chenin Blanc: Upland, Roza Hills and Holmason Vineyards (Not yet released)
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Upchurch 2024 Chenin Blanc: Holmason Vineyard, Yakima Valley
I would have loved to include Chenin Blancs from Amos Rome, Callan, Cedargreen, Convergence Zone, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Eleven, Grosgrain, and Kiona and others.
What other Washington Chenin bottlings I am missing?
Welp, it looks like we will have to organize another tasting soon!
