A Marlborough sauvignon blanc has won the top award at one of the world's major wine awards for the second consecutive year.

The Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 was awarded the international sauvignon blanc trophy and the trophy for the best white wine from Marlborough at the 2012 International Wine Challenge.

The single vineyard wine is made from fruit grown in the Yealands Estate Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough.

Last year the international sauvignon blanc trophy was awarded to a Stanley Estate sauvignon blanc, also from the Awatere Valley.

Kiwi consumers currently don't get a shot at buying the winning tipple here as it's sold exclusively through the British retailer Marks and Spencer in the UK. However it will be released globally later this year.

The International Wine Challenge is considered the largest and most prestigious competition in the world, featuring more than 12,000 wines.

Yealands Estate owner and founder, Peter Yealands, said in a media statement it is recognition of unique flavours and quality of fruit grown in the Seaview Vineyard.

The IWC is the holy grail of wine competitions, Yealand said.

The judges described the wine as 'a great example of a sauvignon blanc from the Awatere Valley with a fragrant slightly floral nose with herbal aromas, striking acidity on the palate with a fresh finish. A thrilling wine'."

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive, Philip Gregan, said it is a win for New Zealand wine and confirmed the world-class quality sauvignon blanc that New Zealand continues to produce.

Other Kiwi wines to pick up awards were the 2010 Bald Hills Central Otago Single Vineyard Pinor Noir, 2010 Cambridge Road Pinor Noir from Martinborough, 2009 John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley Pinor Noir in north Otago, 2010 Mills Reed Elspeth Syrah (Tauranga) from Gimblett Gravels in the Hawkes Bay, 2010 Ngatarawa Alwyn Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay in Hawke's Bay, NV Cuvee Number 8 from No 1 Family Estate in Marlborough and the 2010 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor's Creek Pinot Noir, Marlborough.

- © Fairfax NZ News