Results of the 2024 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Chardonnay
Category Overview by Judge John Szabo
(Jump straight to the medal winners.)
Chardonnay: Consistent Performance and Performers
Read back through the chardonnay category overviews from previous editions of the NWACs and the message is clear: chardonnay is a consistent winner in Canada, comfortably in the pole position among white varieties grown in all four major wine producing provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Québec and Nova Scotia.
It’s always one of the largest categories, indeed the largest this year at 10.8% of all entries (only Red Blends came close at 10.4% of all entries), also with the highest ratio of wines on the podium per entry, representing 12.6% of all medals, a total of 135 wines, including three platinum and 21 gold medals. This is a similar split to previous years, where chardonnay always leads or equals the greatest number of medals from platinum to bronze. Prices ranged from $87 for the most expensive medal winner to $11.95 for the least.
And while the most expensive wine was not a platinum winner, there is, at least statistically speaking, a correlation between price and medal earned, establishing that top quality wine sells for more money, as though you needed reminding of this. The average price for the platinum winners came in at just over $45, $40 for golds, $39 for silver and $33 for Bronze.
Top Values
Sub-$20 chardonnay gold medal winners are vinous unicorns, though Konzelmann 2022 Reserve Series Chardonnay Barrel Aged and Monte Creek 2022 Living Land Chardonnay, come pretty close at $25.
I’d also encourage you to consider a quartet of silver medal winners that cost the least: Malivoire 2022 Estate Grown Chardonnay (ON, $22.95), Fielding 2022 Chardonnay Estate Bottled (ON, $21.95), Corcelettes 2023 Phoenix Chardonnay(BC, $21.90), and Chaberton Estate Winery 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay (BC, $18.95).
And by the same measure, bronze winners Kacaba Vineyards 2022 Select Series Unoaked Chardonnay (ON, $15.95), Megalomaniac Wines N/V Much Obliged Unoaked Chardonnay (ON, $15.95), all surely deliver exceptional value.
Consistent Winners
Any single National Wine Awards provides an objective snapshot of the state of the industry, reflecting the most recent vintages and emerging and dying trends, also lightning strikes and uncharacteristic misses. But taking a larger view over several editions of the NWACs provides perhaps a fairer evaluation of Canada’s most consistent chardonnay performers over a longer period.
In addition to this year’s winners, I looked back through the results of the 2023 and 2022 editions of the Awards to look for names that featured most frequently among the platinum and gold medal winners. Only B.C. and Ontario yielded wineries with more than one gold or platinum in the last three years. Topping the list from British Columbia is Quails’ Gate with 7 gold/platinum wines, followed by CedarCreek with 6, Meyer with 4 including a platinum this year, Nk’Mip with 3, Mission Hill with 3 (though who inexplicably did not enter wines this year) and Monte Creek and Liquidity with 2 apiece.
From Ontario, Hidden Bench tops the list with 4, though surprisingly no gold or platinum medals this year, while Le Clos Jordanne, Two Sisters, Westcott and Tawse have all had 3, and Cloudsley and Trius round out the list with 2 each.
These are safe names to look for consistent quality year in and year out, though there are many lightning strikes each vintage that are specifically worth tracking down, which you’ll find each year in the medals.
Flat Trends
There are no new major style trends to report. Winemakers abandoned heavily oak-inflected versions many vintages ago now, and, as has been the case for some years, the crème de la crème showed only moderate creaminess, banking instead on laser-sharp focus, subtle wood influence for textural enhancement rather than flavour development, and extra-fruity (non-fruity) flavours that we like to describe as minerality.
Platinum Winners
WineAlign congratulates pioneering Ontario winery Henry of Pelham for their first appearance in the platinums with the Henry of Pelham 2022 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay (ON, $34.95). The other platinum winners are familiar regulars Meyer with the Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard (BC, $32.26), and Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay (BC, $69.00).
And the winners are…
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nwac24_platinum-with-shadow.png?w=842)
Henry of Pelham 2022 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nwac24_gold-with-shado2-1.png?w=837)
CedarCreek 2022 Platinum Jagged Rock Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek 2022 Platinum Lake Country Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Cloudsley Cellars 2021 Chardonnay , Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Domaine Queylus 2020 Chardonnay Tradition, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fort Berens 2022 White Gold Chardonnay Reserve, Lillooet, British Columbia
Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Chardonnay, British Columbia
Konzelmann 2022 Reserve Series Chardonnay Barrel Aged, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2022 Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2022 Dekleva Clone Chardonnay Anarchist Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek 2022 Living Land Chardonnay, British Columbia
O’Rourke Family Estate 2022 Twisted Pine Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2022 Sacred Series Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Quails’ Gate 2021 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Redstone Winery 2021 Chardonnay Limestone Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Solvero 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tawse 2021 Quarry Road Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
The Good Earth 2021 Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay Extended Barrel Aged, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Trius 2022 Showcase Chardonnay Wild Ferment Watching Tree Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2021 Block 76 Chardonnay , Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nwac24_silver-with-shadow.png?w=841)
1 Mill Road Winery 2022 Chardonnay, East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Bank Hill 2021 Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
CedarCreek 2022 Aspect Collection Chardonnay, South Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton Estate Winery 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay, British Columbia
Chain Reaction Winery 2022 Chardonnay Chain Reaction Estate Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Clos du Soleil 2022 Winemaker’s Series Chardonnay La Cote Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2021 Churchside Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Corcelettes 2021 Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Corcelettes 2023 Phoenix Chardonnay, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fielding 2022 Chardonnay Estate Bottled, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fielding 2022 Rock Pile Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2021 Capstone Series The Rusty Shed Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2021 Tête de Cuvée Chardonnay Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2022 Chardonnay Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Liquidity Wines 2022 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Malivoire 2021 Moira Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2022 Estate Grown Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2022 Mottiar Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Marynissen Estates 2021 Platinum Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mt. Boucherie 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, British Columbia
MW Cellars 2022 Reserve Chardonnay Unfiltered, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Nk’Mip Cellars 2022 Winemakers Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
North 42 Degrees 2023 Barrel Aged Chardonnay, Ontario
Nostalgia Wines 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
O’Rourke Family Estate 2022 Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2022 Limestone Block Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Quails’ Gate 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2022 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2022 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate Winery 2022 Dijon Clone Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Road 13 2021 Jackpot Chardonnay , Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2022 Chardonnay Clone 95, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stag’s Hollow 2022 Chardonnay Herrera Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Stoss Lee Wines 2022 WS Cuesta Chardonnay Unfiltered, Ontario
Strewn 2023 Distinctive Small Lot Chardonnay Musque, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
The Long Way Home 2022 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Therapy Vineyards Contour 2021 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Two Sisters Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay , Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Wending Home 2021 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nwac24_bronze-with-shadow.png?w=819)
16 Mile Cellar 2018 Civility Chardonnay Unfiltered, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
50th Parallel Estate 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Adamo 2022 Sogno Unoaked Chardonnay Lore Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Arrowleaf 2022 Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Bartier Bros. 2023 Chardonnay Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Hills 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Swift Vineyards 2022 Lot 7 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blasted Church 2022 Small Blessings Swear to God, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blomidon 2021 Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Closson Chase 2021 The Brock Chardonnay, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Deep Roots 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Dirty Laundry 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Dirty Laundry 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Domaine Queylus 2022 Resérve du Domaine Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2023 Foundation Series Unplugged Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Foolish Wine 2022 Symmetry Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fort Berens 2022 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Gray Monk 2023 Chardonnay Unwooded, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Henry of Pelham 2023 Estate Chardonnay Three Hills, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Huff Estates 2022 Catharine’s Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Inniskillin Niagara 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Jabulani 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay, Ontario
Kacaba Vineyards 2022 Select Series Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Keint-He 2021 Greer Road Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Konzelmann 2023 Chardonnay Unoaked, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
La Frenz Winery 2022 Reserve Chardonnay , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2021 Ancienne Chardonnay, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Malivoire 2022 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Marynissen Estates 2023 No No No Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Megalomaniac Wines N/V Much Obliged Unoaked Chardonnay, Ontario
Mercator Vineyards 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay Old Main Road Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2021 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Organized Crime 2021 Limestone Block Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Pelee Island 2021 Vinedressers Chardonnay, South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario
Queenston Mile 2021 Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone Winery 2021 Bistro Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Rust Wine Co. 2022 Chardonnay Lost Horn Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Sandhill 2022 Terroir Driven Wine Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stag’s Hollow 2021 Renaissance Chardonnay Partridge Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stonebridge 2020 Reserve East Chardonnay Stonebridge Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2021 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2023 Quarry Road Unoaked Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tinhorn Creek 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Upper Bench 2021 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Vieni Estates 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Watchful Eye Winery 2022 Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/main-awards-page-button-copy.jpg?w=816)
Sponsors:
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/fil-logo-vector-green.png?w=920)
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/blank-space-separator-1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/containerworld-group-logo-2017-rgb-300dpi_horz-colour.jpg)
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/blank-space-separator-1.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://winealignawards.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/timax-a-containerworld-company-logo-cmyk-300dpi_colour-let-it-go.com_.jpg?w=1024)