Esk Valley Artisanal Chenin Blanc

Built in 1933 by Englishman Robert Bird who produced fortified wine from the 1930s through to the 1970s (under the name Glenvale) until the Esk Valley name was created for a premium range of table wines.

These days the Esk Valley name is owned by the Indevin group, New Zealand’s largest wine grower and producer. And when you operate on the size on the scale these guys do you have access to incredible vineyards, growers, quality fruit and top winemakers.

The Esk Valley Artisanal range is a fine wine range that’s been given a bit of what they used to like to calling “the Gordon Russell treatment”. Gordon was Esk Valley chief winemaker for 30 years and an absolute legend on the scene. The Artisanal range allowed one of NZ’s true greats in winemaking to roll up his sleeves and craft seriously good value wines true to variety and style. In this case we’re talking about Chenin Blanc – one of those styles you may not have ever tried, but once you do, trust us, you’re hooked.

Esk Valley Artisanal Chenin Blanc scored 4 1/2 Stars with critic Michael Cooper who said “Well worth cellaring, the youthful, vigorous 2022 vintage (4.5*) was fermented and lees-aged in tanks and seasoned oak barrels. Bright yellow/green, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with very good intensity of ripe, peachy flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dryish, finely balanced finish. Best drinking 2025+.”