Hella Chenin Festival: May 3, Berkeley, CA

Here in California wine country, it seems like we’re treated to wine tasting events for nearly every grape variety and every appellation in the state. But in point-of-fact, no one has ever held a festival dedicated to the Chenin Blanc grape. Until now.

Chenin, in case you haven’t heard, is having something of a moment. I recently conducted what I believe to be the most extensive tasting of California Chenin Blanc ever for Jancis Robinson’s website, and there were some mighty impressive wines coming from a really wide range of places in the state.

Of course, some of the most exciting Chenin Blanc these days comes from South Africa, where old vines and new, ambitious winemakers have created the perfect syzygy of style, quality, and terroir to make some of the most exciting white wines on the planet.

So what better to spend a day celebrating and tasting, than a bunch of California and South African Chenin Blancs? Enter, Hella Chenin, the first wine-tasting festival dedicated to Chenin Blanc in America, and a guaranteed good time.

Held on May 3rd at Hammerling Winery in North Berkeley, the day will begin with a moderated panel session led by yours truly, where I’ll talk with winemakers Tegan Passalaqua (of California-based Sandlands) and Bernhard Bredell (of South-African-based Scions of Sinai) about everything that makes Chenin interesting and special. After a break to let trade and media do some tasting, the main event will commence: a walk-around tasting, food, live music, and much merriment for the rest of the afternoon.

The event will feature 26 California producers of Chenin Blanc and 10 producers from South Africa. You can see who’s pouring on the event’s website.

Chenin Blanc is still a relatively new grape variety to many people. This tasting represents a unique opportunity for wine lovers to explore and understand the grape, and learn what fantastic wines it is capable of making.

Hella Chenin Wine Fest 2025
Saturday, May 3
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Hammerling Wines
1350 Fifth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710 (map)

Tickets to the panel discussion are, I regret to say, already sold out, but you can purchase $50 tickets to the public tasting here. That’s a pretty good price for a public tasting, and all proceeds will be donated to LA fire relief. Great wine, great time, great cause. What’s not to love? Hope to see you there.

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