Chinese (Lunar) New Year 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, starting on February 17, 2026 until February 5, 2027. The Horse embodies enthusiasm, speed and fieriness, bringing a year focused on bold moves and exploration. The Year of the Horse brings themes of freedom, action, and momentum, encouraging bold moves, new projects, travel, and social connection, fuelled by the Horse’s energetic and independent spirit, intensified by the Fire element for passion and ambition, but requiring balance to avoid impulsiveness.
A few famous people that you may know that were born at the Year of the Horse are:
- Thomas Edison
- Greta Thunberg
- Barbara Streisand
- Clint Eastwood
- Catherine O’Hara
As I do every year, what horse themed wines or beers are available to enjoy for the Lunar New Year?
British Columbia Wine
1. Whispering Horse Winery — Chilliwack, BC
A boutique winery named with a horse theme, rooted in the history of the property’s use as a horse ranch. They focus on estate grown terroir-driven wines.
Website: https://www.whisperinghorsewinery.com
MyWinePal articles: Search Results for “whispering horse” – MyWinePal
Notable wines: estate-grown whites, rosés, and traditional method sparkling wines.
2. Dark Horse Vineyard — Oliver, BC
A winery whose name evokes the strong equine “dark horse” moniker. Produces a range of single-vineyard wines from Okanagan fruit.
Website: https://darkhorsevineyard.ca/
Notable wines: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bordeaux-style blends (e.g., Pinot Noir 2017, Chardonnay 2018).
3. Haywire Winery – Summerland, BC
This announcement came out after my article was published. They just released a Limited Edition Haywire Lunar Red. According to the winery, the wine is “Made from a Merlot dominant blend and naturally fermented before gentle basket pressing, this elegant wine offers aromas of dark plum, cassis, and subtle cigar box spice. The palate is smooth and expressive, with layers of black cherry, cocoa, vanilla, and warm baking spice, supported by firm tannins and a long, refined finish.” Haywire Winery has released Lunar New Year red wines in the past. You can purchase the wine online, either as a single, 3 pack, 6 pack, or a dozen bottles.
Website: http://www.haywire.com
Ontario
Wine
1. Dark Horse Estate Winery – Grand Bend, ON
Ontario winery with a “Dark Horse” identity; produces a wide portfolio of VQA wines and operates a tasting room, patio, and events space.
Website: https://darkhorseestatewinery.com
2. Burning Kiln Winery — Horse & Boat Riesling – ON
A specific horse-themed wine produced by Burning Kiln Winery. “Horse & Boat” is a named Riesling available direct from the winery and featured in Ontario VQA listings.
Winery website: https://burningkilnwinery.ca
Beer
1. Shakespeare Brewing Company – The Heavy Horse
A small craft brewery in Shakespeare, Ontario that brews a beer called The Heavy Horse (a farmhouse ale). The name and branding reference the equine theme directly.
Website: https://shakespearebrewingcompany.ca
Product: The Heavy Horse farmhouse ale, a beer with a horse-oriented name.
2. Avling Brewery – UNFILTERED Champion Ale (seasonal/limited)
Not a brewery named after a horse, but Avling (Ontario) brewed UNFILTERED Champion Ale, a beer inspired by Ontario champion racehorses and made from barley associated with them. This one leans into the horse racing theme rather than a static horse on a label, but it’s an interesting equine-linked craft beer project.
Brewery site: https://avlingbrewery.com/
Horse-Themed Wineries for the Rest of the World
Europe
Château Cheval Blanc (Bordeaux, France)
One of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates, Cheval Blanc literally means “White Horse”, tying the name directly to the equine theme. The winery is world-famous for its Grand Cru Classé wines in Saint-Émilion.
Website: https://www.chateauchevalblanc.com/
San Felice Vigorello (Tuscany, Italy)
Made for the first time in 1968, Vigorello was the first of a new generation of Tuscan wines that subsequently became known as Super Tuscans. The blend now also includes some Pugnitello, an ancient native grape revived by San Felice, in order to emphasize its Tuscan character. There is a prominent horse on the label.
Website: https://www.sanfelice.com/en/product/vigorello
South America
Cheval des Andes (Mendoza, Argentina)
A high-end Argentine winery whose name — Cheval des Andes — references “horse of the Andes”. The brand blends Argentine terroir with Bordeaux-inspired winemaking and even features a polo field and horses on the estate grounds, reflecting the owners’ polo passion.
Website: https://www.chevaldesandes.com/
Viña Haras de Pirque (Maipo Valley, Chile)
This historic Chilean estate incorporates equine tradition into its identity: Haras refers to a stud farm, and the winery’s architecture and brands (like Equus) echo the horse theme. It has produced wines such as Equus Sauvignon Blanc, reflecting that heritage.
Website: https://www.vinaharas.com/ (official site)
Australia
Prancing Horse Fine Wines (Mornington Peninsula)
A boutique Australian winery with a clear horse reference in its name, based on a biodynamic vineyard in Red Hill that uses equine metaphors in its branding. prancinghorsefinewines.com
Website: https://www.prancinghorsefinewines.com/
I have not checked the availability of all these wines or beers at BC Liquor stores, at Everything Wine, or other liquor stores. If a wine or beer sounds interesting to you, I Invite you to check out your store. Many of the BC wines are only available from the winery, so click on the winery URL which I have provided above. Cheers!
