Image suppliedEntries for the 2026 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge (JHCACC) have officially opened. Entered wineries will have the opportunity to take out the top titles of ‘2026 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge Winner’ and ‘Cabernet Challenge Winner’. Last year’s challenge saw the Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard 2023 Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills) take out the title of ‘Chardonnay Challenge Winner’ while the Devils Lair 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon was named ‘Cabernet Challenge Winner’. The James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge officially launched in 2021 after operating as separate award programs in the Yarra Valley, Margaret River and Coonawarra respectively. The challenge now operates as a joint endeavour between Margaret River Wine Association and Wine Yarra Valley, with the regions hosting the challenge in alternating years.