Giant Steps winery was established in the Yarra Valley by Phil Sexton in the late 1990s. Known for his entrepreneurial ventures, Sexton previously founded and sold two breweries, Matilda Bay and Little Creatures, along with a winery, Devil’s Lair, in Western Australia. He moved to the Yarra Valley in 1997, with the first vintage of Giant Steps produced in 2001.
For many years, the winery thrived under the talented guidance of winemaker Steve Flamsteed. However, in 2021, it was acquired by Jackson Family Wines, a U.S.-based company that also owns several McLaren Vale wineries. Following the acquisition, Melanie Chester was appointed as the head of winemaking and viticulture. She began her role in November 2021 and faced significant challenges in her first vintage, 2022, which was marked by a severe reduction in crop yield due to unfavorable weather conditions from La Niña. The Yarra Valley experienced up to a 60% drop in yield, and Giant Steps faced a 35% decline overall. Despite these challenges, Chester noted that the smaller grapes produced more concentrated flavors.
Chester’s winemaking career began at Treasury, followed by positions at Great Western and Seppelt, and a lengthy tenure at Sutton Grange in Victoria. Under her leadership, the winery is focusing on quality despite tough climatic conditions, with Chester stating that the best vintages often occur in cooler years.
The resources from Jackson Family Wines have facilitated adaptations at Giant Steps, including the renovation of the historically significant Bastard Hill Vineyard, originally planted for sparkling wines in 1985. This vineyard is now producing outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery has also sold its previous facility in Healesville, transferring their gravity flow setup to a new location to enhance wine quality.
Current releases include several notable Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from different vineyards, showcasing the character of cool climate viticulture in the region:
- Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 2023: Characterized by intense fruit flavors and bright acidity (96/100).
- Giant Steps Applejack Chardonnay 2023: Exhibits complexity and minerality with vibrant citrus notes (96/100).
- Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2023: Offers focused citrus and pear with good depth (95/100).
- Giant Steps Bastard Hill Chardonnay 2023: Noted for its tautness and purity (97/100).
- Giant Steps Bastard Hill Pinot Noir 2023: Features a delicate balance of fruit and texture (96/100).
- Giant Steps Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023: Displays floral notes and bright structure (95/100).
Despite the challenges of the recent vintages, Chester’s winemaking philosophy and Jackson Family Wines’ support point towards a promising future for Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley.
For more in-depth details, visit the original Giant Steps feature.