Boat O'Craigo to Host the James Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge
Boat O'Craigo is proud to be the host venue for one of Australia's most prestigious wine competitions, the James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge, taking place in the Yarra Valley on 23 and 24 September 2025.
This annual celebration brings together Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to showcase the very best expressions from across Australia's iconic wine regions, alternating between the Yarra Valley and Margaret River each year. Born in the Yarra Valley in 2012, the Chardonnay Challenge has long been a benchmark for excellence, while the Cabernet Challenge, launched in 2016, has become one of Australia's great success stories; the two were brought together in 2021.
2025 Judging Panel
Chair of Judges: Glenn Barry (Adelaide Hills, SA). Panel Chairs: Julian Grounds (Mornington, VIC), Lisa Jenkins (Gippsland, VIC), Sarah Pidgeon (Coonawarra, SA). Judges: Alex Beckett (Sunbury, VIC), Matt Buchan (Margaret River, WA), Matt Turnbull (Adelaide Hills, SA), Xanthe Hatcher (Hunter Valley, NSW), Penny Jones (Tasmania), Greg Clack (Adelaide Hills, SA).
The Challenge is a collaborative initiative between the Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley. As James Halliday noted when the Challenges were first combined: "The decision to bring the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Challenges together provides a win-win scenario for all stakeholders. The results will provide a unique snapshot of the state of play of these two great varieties."
For Boat O'Craigo, hosting this event is both an honour and a celebration of our role within the Yarra Valley community. We look forward to welcoming the judges, participants and guests to our winery in September.
