Vintage English sparkling wine, Annie Power Cuvée, marks 10 years since champion racehorse made history at Cheltenham
A decade after one of the most memorable moments in Cheltenham Festival history, Annie Power’s incredible Champion Hurdle victory in 2016 is being celebrated in a unique way — with the launch of Annie Power Cuvée 21, a small-production English sparkling wine created by her owner, Susannah Ricci.
Crafted entirely from grapes grown at Ricci’s Yotes Court Vineyard in Kent, Annie Power Cuvée 21 is a sparkling tribute to a mare whose brilliance, resilience, and charisma captured the imagination of racing fans worldwide. The wine – the first vintage cuvée from Yotes Court – reflects the qualities that made Annie Power a legend: precision, elegance, and an exhilarating finish.
This traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a small addition of Pinot Gris to add floral finesse. Matured on lees for 3 years to develop depth and complexity, it has fresh notes of yellow plum and candied apple, layered with a delicate autolytic expression of toasted breadcrumbs. The palate is full bodied, and vibrant with a fine mousse and a long apricot finish.
Susannah, who is considered one of the most successful and prominent racehorse owners in England and Ireland, said of the launch: “Annie Power was a truly special mare, who gave our team some of the most thrilling and emotional moments in racing. Her Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenham remains one of the highlights of my life as an owner, and it felt fitting to honour that achievement with something equally elegant and celebratory. Annie Power Cuvée 21 is a tribute to her spirit — refined, vibrant and unforgettable.”
Retired Irish jockey, Ruby Walsh, who led Annie Power to victory in 2016 added: “Annie was pure class. When she was right, she had that turn of foot and that accuracy at her hurdles that made her exceptional. The Champion Hurdle win was redemption and brilliance rolled into one. It’s lovely to see her legacy celebrated ten years on.”
Annie Power Cuvée 2021 is priced at £34,50 and is available for pre-orders at yotescourt.co.uk ahead of its general release from 1st April 2026.
About Yotes Court
Originally a soft and top fruit farm, Yotes Court Vineyard was meticulously planted the same year of Annie Power’s 2016 victory at Cheltenham. on a site to the west of an historic English Heritage Grade 1 listed manor house between the picturesque villages of West Peckham and Mereworth.
The south sloping, frost-free vineyard features 75 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Divico vines planted on free-draining green sand and clay soils packed with Kentish ragstone – an Ideal combination for growing grapes.
Vineyard manager Tony Purdie nurtures the vines using sustainable methods, guided by science and technology, helping to minimise the use of sprays and fuel and increase biodiversity in the vineyard. In 2020, Yotes Court was among the first vineyards to achieve accreditation as a Sustainable Producer under the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme.