According to Wine Australia, this is the third consecutive year Penfolds has been recognised, each year with a different variety.

"For a company and country famed for its iconic red wines, this award recognises the exceptionally high standard of one of Australia's best chardonnays," said the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation’s (AWBC) acting chief executive, Jock Osborne.

"To be chosen from more than 17,000 entries by an expert panel cements this wines reputation."

Mr Osborne said the win reflected something of a "Chardonnay renaissance", arguing there are some "absolutely outstanding" chardonnay being grown in the Adelaide Hills, resulting in some brilliantly crafted wines.

Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago said the 2005 Yattarna Chardonnay was clearly now included in the "upper echelon of global chardonnay".

"Earlier this year at the 2008 Decanter World Wine Awards this wine also received a Trophy for Best Chardonnay over £10," Mr Gago said.

"We are thrilled that the 2005 vintage was sourced exclusively from Adelaide Hills vineyards, symbolically none of which are too great a distance from Penfolds spiritual home Penfolds Magill Estate."

Kym Schroeter, Penfolds senior white winemaker, said the 2005 vintage was a cool year and particularly suited the Adelaide Hills.

"The wine is normally a multi-regional blend, sourcing the best parcels of fruit available," she said.

"After a very strict culling of barriques, the resulting blend was exclusively Adelaide Hills, for the first time ever."

The trophy was established in memory of a former chairman of the AWBC, Mr George Mackey, who died in office in 1990.

The award is presented annually by the AWBC to the most outstanding export wine of the year.

Initial nomination is made by AWBC wine inspectors, who set aside the best wines during the routine inspection of every exported Australian wine.

Previous winners have included Wirra Wirra, Tatachilla, Coldstream Hills, Cape Mentelle and Penley Estate.