Prancing Horse's Mornington Peninsula vineyards benefit from the region's distinctive cool maritime climate moderated by Port Phillip Bay. The estate tends its Chardonnay parcels across the peninsula's characteristic sandy loam and volcanic soils, which provide excellent drainage and mineral expression. The 2012 vintage was marked by a warm, relatively dry growing season, with good ripening conditions that extended into autumn. The winery employs sustainable vineyard management focused on maintaining vine balance and natural vigour in this boutique terroir known for producing elegant, restrained white wines.

The 2012 Reserve Chardonnay was whole-bunch pressed to capture delicate aromatic characters. Fermentation occurred in French oak—a combination of new and used barrels—over several weeks at cool temperatures to retain freshness and complexity. Extended lees contact during élevage allowed subtle oak integration and textural development. The wine was aged in barrel for approximately ten months before gentle racking and minimal intervention bottling, preserving the varietal's natural acidity and mineral focus characteristic of Mornington Peninsula cool-climate expression.