Loire Roots, WA Swagger: Chenin Blanc for All Seasons

Why Chenin Blanc Shines in Margaret River

Chenin Blanc is celebrated globally for its versatility—ranging from dry, crisp wines to luscious dessert styles—with hallmark traits such as high acidity, mineral backbone, and expressive orchard-fruit and honeyed notes.

In Margaret River, the maritime-cool climate and diverse, well-drained soils mirror ideal Chenin Blanc conditions in the Loire Valley and South Africa, allowing grapes to ripen gently while retaining vibrant acidity and terroir expression.

Though historically overshadowed by Margaret River’s signature Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc is now enjoying a renaissance in the region thanks to forward-thinking growers and natural-wine practitioners.

A Brief History of Chenin in Margaret River

Chenin Blanc arrived in Western Australia over 100 years ago (reports differ, but it is likely the first plantings in the Swan Valley were in the early 1900s), introduced from South Africa, where it had become a dominant grape known locally as “Steen.”

Originally used for fortified and sweet wines, it spread gradually south to the cooler Margaret River region.

Margaret River’s vineyards were established in the late 1960s and ’70s, but Chenin only started to acquire prominence later when small producers recognised its potential.

Over the past decade, a wave of boutique winemakers — including Nic Peterkin at Marri Wood Park — have championed Chenin Blanc as a serious varietal with aging potential and fine texture.

Today, Chenin represents a boutique yet growing slice of the region’s white-wine portfolio, driven by demand for expressive, food-friendly wines with natural acidity and approachable complexity.

The Rise of Chenin Blanc in Recent Years 

As Amanda Whiteland, CEO of the Margaret River Wine Association, notes:
“Chenin Blanc is on the rise, earning national praise for its equally imaginative and skilful winemaking.” 

Meanwhile, bold experimentation—with amphora, hands-off fermentation, lees integration and oak treatments —continues to shape Chenin’s Margaret River identity.

Marri Wood Park Chenin Blanc

Under Nic Peterkin’s considered direction, this wine offers vibrant acidity, pickled melon, preserved lemon, waxy phenolics, and raw-oat grip. Critics praise its layered texture, energy and balance, rating the 2023 vintage around 95 points.

Lenton Brae In Good Hands Chenin Blanc
This approachable alternative-range wine shows salty brine, green olives, candied ginger, apple, honeysuckle, lime zest and wet pebbles. Described as gentle yet invigorating, with pithy acidity and a grippy finish, it earned ~95 points from Winepilot, recommended for drinking through 2029.

Trait Wines 'Heimwee' Chenin Blanc

Produced in the Wooditjup sub-region, Trait Wines emphasises terroir and respect for Wadandi custodians. The Heimwee represents the artisanal, site-specific direction Chenin is taking in Margaret River.

We’re pairing Chenin Blanc with…

Light and fresh lunch: Goats’ cheese and grilled peach salad – acidity cuts through richness; try Trait Wines 'Heimwee'.

Warm days: Light, chilled Trait Wines or KP Naturally Chenin—bright, tropical, low intervention, refreshing and zippy.

A rich and savoury dinner: Creamy lemon-thyme linguini or crayfish pasta. Marri Wood Park works especially well with its preserved lemon and herb tones.

Cold nights: Roast root vegetables with lentil stew or barley risotto. Marri Wood Park’s textural weight and lees complexity bring satisfying body.

Afternoon snacks: Salty olives, pickled veggies, aged cheese and crusty bread (build the charcuterie board of your dreams) — Lenton Brae In Good Hands bridges fruit and savoury saltiness.

Winemaker Theo above, the man behind the superb Trait wines.

Why we’re excited about Chenin & the people behind crafting them

Versatility: Can be dry, off-dry, sparkling or rich dessert style; like Riesling, but with its own unique waxy and honeyed profile.

Acidity & Aging: Naturally high acidity allows Chenin to age gracefully; Margaret River bottles can evolve beautifully over 5–10 years or more.

Climate resilience: Holds acidity well in heat, making it well suited to warming climates—one reason producers are increasingly planting it now.

Regional identity: Margaret River’s coastal soils and cooling breezes enable expressive, elegant Chenin that rivals those of Loire and South Africa.

Margaret River Chenin Blanc is more than a curiosity—it’s emerging as a bold, compelling player in Australia’s wine scene. Its rich history from South African roots through to modern Margaret River championing, combined with winemakers like Nic Peterkin and artisan producers embracing minimal intervention, gives Chenin both depth and authenticity.

To check out our complete line up of Chenin Blanc, please contact your friendly sales representative today.

Don’t have one? Get in touch and we will connect you with someone in your region.