the vineyard

The vineyard was established in 1990 as “Lavender Bay” in the rich soils of Paringa Road, Red Hill South in the Mornington peninsular region of Victoria. Following the initial plantings of Pinot noir, Chardonnay vines were introduced in 1996. The current owners, Tony Hancey and his wife acquired the property in early 2002 and renamed the property Prancing Horse Estate. They quickly launched a program to revitalize the property, including a significant pruning of the pinot noir vines and introduction of a new trellis system to contain growth vigor and improve canopy management. The 2004 vintage is the first year for the re-release of their pinot noir.

The vineyard is in the process of being extended from 5 acres to 12 acres, which has allowed for the introduction of further premium clones of chardonnay and pinot noir, as well as the planting of some pinot gris.

A key component of the redevelopment of the vineyard is a program to remove and eliminate all pesticides, herbicides and fungicides from the property, and they have been successful in avoiding the need to use these in 2004 and 2005. 

the wines

All of the grapes are hand harvested, dry grown and cropped to very low yields to produce high quality fruit at around 1.5 - 2 tonne per acre of pinot noir and 2 - 2.5 tonne per acre of Chardonnay.

2004 Prancing Horse Estate Chardonnay

Tasting Notes:
The wine’s lovely  pale lemon-gold color gives just a hint of the quality of this well balanced chardonnay that expresses the terroir of the Mornington Peninsular - a classic cool climate region of Victoria. The wine fills the mouth, but it is not cloying due to an acid balance that gives the wine excellent definition. The toasty oak elements are beautifully balanced with lemon and grapefruit with a hint of melon. There is an underlying mineral element that creates a lush complex mix.

Winemaker Notes:
The fruit was hand harvested from low yielding vines. The must was oxidatively handled and barrel fermented with its natural yeast in new and used french oak for 12 months, with a further 12 months in the bottle to build complexity.
alc: 13.5%              Production: 350 cases (of 6)             Harvest date: April 16, 2004

2004 Prancing Horse Estate Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes:
The wine is a ruby red with no discernible browning on the rim. Lovely nose, with plenty of fruit on a background of sweet-liqueur cherries. There is a dusty overtone with a hint of wild mushrooms and forest flavors, overlaid by a further hint smoky oak. The palate is a little sweet upfront, not overly so, but enough acid to deliver a nice long finish and a well balanced wine. This wine will age well for a number of years, but also drinks really well now due to its modest tannins and good acidity. A smooth but complex wine.

Winemaker Notes:
The fruit was hand harvested from low yielding vines. De-stemmed whole berries were fermented in open wood vats with natural yeast, and then aged for an additional 12 months in new and four year old french oak barrels, followed by a 12 month bottle aging to build complexity..
alc: 13.5%              Production: 230 cases (of 6)             Harvest date: April 11, 2004

Awards & Reviews:
   Gold medal - National Cool Climate Show, 2005
   94pts James Halliday: :”fine structure and intense black cherry, plum and spice and a touch of forest”

the winemaker

Sergio Carlei, the winemaker behind these wonderful wines, is one of the most interesting winemakers in Australia. A first generation Australian of Italian winemaking heritage, Sergio brings real passion to making wines of great distinction. For more information on Sergio, click here

the awards & recognition

Watch this space - these wines have quite a reputation - we just haven’t managed to get it posted yet!