Foxen Chenin Blanc

Foxen Chenin Blanc is a dry, old-vine white wine from Santa Maria Valley, California, bottled at 13.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard—planted in 1966 with what are believed to be among the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the United States—this bottling earned 94 points from Billy Norris at Vinous on its 2024 vintage, reinforcing its reputation as one of California's most compelling expressions of the varietal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: Santa Maria Valley, California  |  Old Vine (1966 plantings)  |  Winery: Foxen

Production & Heritage

Foxen has long championed the grape diversity of California's Central Coast, and this Chenin Blanc stands as a flagship of that philosophy. The fruit comes exclusively from the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard, where nearly six decades of vine age yield highly concentrated grapes that lend unusual weight and texture. Fermentation takes place in equal parts stainless steel and neutral puncheons, a split that preserves bright acidity while allowing subtle textural development. Aging occurs in 500-liter neutral oak barrels, adding breadth without imparting overt wood character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White flowers and orange zest emerge first, followed by lemon oil, ripe pear, and a thread of clean paraffin. A chalky, mineral-driven lift keeps the nose taut and inviting.

Taste: The entry is brisk, with vibrant acidity framing flavors of green apple, blanched almond, and peach. Mid-palate, copious minerality surfaces alongside papaya, white grapefruit zest, and kumquat rind. The old-vine concentration adds a weighty, almost waxy texture that distinguishes it from lighter Chenin bottlings.

Finish: Long and nervy, with lingering notes of warm slate, chamomile, white tea, and lemon pith. The acidity carries the finish well past the final sip, leaving a clean, saline impression.

How to Drink Foxen Chenin

This wine is at its most expressive served slightly chilled—around 50–55°F—in a wide-bowled white wine glass that allows the aromatics to open fully. A few minutes of air after pouring rewards with additional complexity. For cocktail-adjacent serves, it works well in a White Wine Spritz, where the acidity and mineral backbone hold up against soda and a citrus twist; a French 75 variation using this Chenin in place of Champagne brings stone fruit depth to the classic template; and a Hugo Spritz benefits from the wine's floral aromatics and natural brightness.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates rare California heritage varietals
• Pairing at a seafood-focused dinner party or raw bar gathering
• Adding depth to a curated tasting flight exploring old-vine whites
• Celebrating warm-weather occasions where a complex yet refreshing white is called for

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Foxen Chenin taste like? It is a dry, crisp white wine with layered flavors of green apple, peach, white grapefruit zest, and blanched almond, underpinned by pronounced minerality and a waxy, concentrated texture from old-vine fruit.

How does Foxen Chenin compare to Loire Valley Chenin Blanc? Loire Chenin Blancs—particularly those from Savennières or dry Vouvray—share the same racy acidity and mineral character, but Foxen's warmer Santa Maria Valley origin delivers riper stone fruit and a slightly fuller body while retaining comparable tension and length.

Is Foxen Chenin good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its layered aromatics, vibrant acidity, and textural weight from old vines make it a rewarding wine to drink on its own, ideally served lightly chilled to highlight its complexity.

Where is Foxen Chenin made? Foxen produces this wine in Santa Maria Valley on California's Central Coast, using fruit exclusively from the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard, where Chenin Blanc vines were planted in 1966.

What foods pair well with Foxen Chenin? Roasted chicken with herbs matches the wine's weight and floral notes. Raw oysters amplify its saline minerality. Thai green curry finds balance against the bright acidity. Aged goat cheese echoes the waxy texture. Grilled white fish with a lemon-caper sauce mirrors the citrus and mineral profile.

What sizes does Foxen Chenin come in? Foxen Chenin Blanc is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Foxen Chenin worth the price? Positioned as a premium single-vineyard white from some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the country, it delivers critical acclaim—94 points from Vinous, 93 from Wine Advocate—and a level of vineyard distinction that places it well within its value tier for serious wine drinkers.

Why Foxen Chenin?

The defining asset here is the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard's 1966 plantings—vines widely regarded as among the oldest Chenin Blanc in the United States. That heritage translates directly into the glass as a concentration and textural weight that younger-vine bottlings rarely achieve. Consistent critical recognition across recent vintages, including 94 points from Vinous and 93 from Wine Advocate, confirms this is not a novelty but a benchmark California Chenin Blanc. For anyone seeking an alternative to the usual Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay rotation, few domestic whites deliver this combination of history, complexity, and sheer drinkability.