South Australia made its mark at the 2025 Global Chardonnay Masters, but the state’s strongest statement came from the very top of the competition. Judged blind in London by Masters of Wine and senior international buyers for The Drinks Business, the annual tasting is one of the most rigorous global assessments of the variety. And this year, Penfolds came within a hair of Chardonnay’s highest international honour.
While California’s Platt Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay claimed the competition’s sole Grand Master title, Penfolds’ Yattarna Chardonnay 2023 secured Master status, placing the Magill-based producer among the very best Chardonnays in the world.
Yattarna has long been positioned as Penfolds’ global benchmark for the variety, drawing on high-altitude Australian vineyards including Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba and Tasmania, and the 2025 results reaffirm its standing on the international stage.
Penfolds’ performance didn’t stop there. The Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2024 was awarded Gold in the £70–£100 category, further strengthening South Australia’s presence at the competition’s upper end. Predominantly sourced from Adelaide Hills fruit, the wine sat confidently alongside top-tier international peers, underlining the region’s capacity to produce Chardonnay of scale, precision and longevity.
Beyond Penfolds, the Adelaide Hills again demonstrated its depth in cool-climate Chardonnay. Tapanappa claimed two Gold medals in the £30–£50 category for its Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 and Tiers 1.5m Vineyard Chardonnay 2024, reinforcing the Piccadilly Valley’s reputation as one of the world’s great Chardonnay sites. These wines were recognised for their balance of power and restraint, a hallmark of the region’s best expressions. Other Hills producers, including Dandelion Vineyards, Heirloom Vineyards, Orlando Wines and Wakefield/Taylors, also collected Silver and Bronze medals across multiple price points, contributing to a strong and consistent showing.
Barossa and Eden Valley added further weight to South Australia’s results, particularly in structured, oak-influenced styles. Langmeil’s Barossa High Road Chardonnay 2024 earned Gold, while Château Tanunda’s Grand Barossa Chardonnay 2024 took Silver, showing polish and confidence in a global context. Eden Valley also featured prominently, with St Hugo Eden Valley Chardonnay 2024 awarded Gold, highlighting the broader Barossa zone’s ability to deliver premium Chardonnay when conditions and site align.
Chair of judges Patrick Schmitt MW noted that the most successful wines this year shared a clear common thread – balance. Judges responded to Chardonnays that combined fruit generosity with freshness, and oak influence that added complexity without overwhelming the wine, a stylistic sweet spot that South Australian producers have refined over decades.
The 2025 Global Chardonnay Masters made one thing clear. While the Southern Hemisphere dominated the upper tiers overall, South Australia continues to compete credibly at the very highest level. Led by Penfolds’ near-podium performance and supported by consistent results from Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Eden Valley producers, the state’s Chardonnay story remains one of confidence, depth and international relevance. And once again, the world’s judges are paying attention. I know what I’ll be drinking this Christmas. Cheers!
For the full list of medallists from the Global Chardonnay Masters 2025, click here.
