Latest News

December 2008
James Halliday 2009 Australian Wine Companion released during August 2008 reaffirms Prancing Horse Estate’s Five Star Rating each year since it was first reviewed in 2006.

Ten of the Best New Wineries in Australia
Prancing Horse Estate, Mornington Peninsula
"Good things can come in small packages when new owners (Anthony & Catherine Hancy) acquire a vineyard planted in 1990, upgrade the viticulture (bravely embarking on an organic path, and retain Sergio Carlei as winemaker – and then become partners with Sergio in Carlei wines.” Page 40, James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007 Edition.

Best Wineries of the Regions
Mornington Peninsula
Allies Wines, Darling Park, Eldridge Estate of Red Hill, Hurley Vineyard, Kooyong, Main Ridge Estate, Merricks Creek Wines, Montalto Vineyards, Moorooduc Estate, Paringa Estate, Port Phillip Estate, Prancing Horse Estate, Red Hill Estate, Scorpo Wines, Stonier Wines, Ten Minutes by Tractor, The Cups Estate, Tuck’s Ridge, Willow Creek Vineyard, Yabby Lake Vineyard. Page 29, James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Australian Wine Companion 2009 Listing
Prancing Horse Estate

Anthony & Catherine Hancy acquired the Lavendar Bay Vineyard in early 2002, renaming it the Prancing Horse Estate and embarking on a radical upgrade of the existing plantings of 1ha each of chardonnay and pinot noir. They will progressively extend the plantings by 2.5ha, planted equally to chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir, using selected clones. The Hancys also made a decision to avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Having appointed Sergio Carlei as winemaker, the following year they became joint owners with Sergio in Carlei Wines. Exports to the US and France.

Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2006

Very lively, intense and fresh: lovely citrus and stone fruit. Diam. 13.5° alc.
Rating 95 Drink 2016.

Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2006

Bright and clear colour: fresh, lively and pure pinot, with great elegance: made for maximum enjoyment over the next few years. Diam. 13.5° alc. Rating 94 Drink 2011.
Page 516, James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Inventory status
Prancing Horse Estate 2006 Pinot Noir – Limited stock available
Prancing Horse Estate 2006 Chardonnay – Sold out
Prancing Horse Estate 2007 Pinot Noir – Now available (limit 6 per customer)
Prancing Horse Estate 2007 Chardonnay – Now available
Prancing Horse Estate 2086 Pinot Gris – Now available

Bio Dynamic Viticulture at Prancing Horse Estate
During 2008 we fully implemented bio dynamic viticulture practices in addition to the organic practices we had established when we purchased the property in 2001. This has leveraged a week long visit to Burgundy to meet and see first hand what some of the great domaines of Burgundy such as Compte Armand, Romanee Contí, Domaine de Vougerraie and Meo Camuzet have practiced for many years.

The tour, led by Pascal Marchand, included participants from wineries in the USA, Canada, Chile and Australia (Prancing Horse Estate, Carlei, Howard Park). A number of initiatives have been applied in our Australian operations.

Prancing Horse Estate – Burgundy Production
The 2006 vintage will be our first year of producing a Burgundy in France. We will release a premier cru from Morey St Denis in February 2009. We will also produce a grand cru from Chablis from the 2008 vintage onwards.

The New Developments at Red Hill
Our additional 6 acres of new plantings at Paringa Road continues to progress and we are confident that the clones planted will enhance the complexity of our existing wines and continue to present us with new possibilities and challenges. We expect to harvest fruit from this area for the first time during the 2009 vintage. An additional 4 acres of vines will be planted at our Point Leo Road property during 2009 (acquired in late 2007).

Wine Wise Small Vignerons Awards for 2008
Prancing Horse Estate 2005 Pinot Noir – Gold
“This Mornington Peninsula wine is maturing nicely, with bright cherry aromas and a touch of dried flowers. The palate displays some complexity, impressive depth of fruit and fine, supple tannins. Very attractive drinking right now. ($48.00) GOLD 13.5% Diam”
Page 15, WINEWISE Volume 24 Number 3 August 2008.

European Penetration
During 2008 Prancing Horse wines, previously sold only in France, were sold in outlets in Sweden and the United Kingdom. During June 2008 Harrods in London did a special promotion of Victorian wines including Prancing Horse Estate as one of the featured vineyards.

American Food & Wine Festival – Orlando, Florida – October 2008
Prancing Horse wines were featured as one of a small number of vineyards from Victoria for the month of October at the EPCOT Center. Our wines were teamed with local chef Nicki Riener in food and wine demonstrations at the event.
The Consul General (Mr John Olsen) in New York hosted a special dinner at his New York residence at which Tony Hancy was the guest of honour. The Prancing Horse wines were featured during the evening to a guest list that included restaurant owners, retailers and food and wine journalists based in New York.