Giant Steps
Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay
Aromas of lemon peel, orange blossoms and oyster shells. The palate is medium-bodied with energetic acidity, a creamy mouthfeel and notes of grapefruit, flint and almond meal. Very tightly wound and delicate.
Description
Giant Steps
Giant Steps is a celebrated boutique winery in the Yarra Valley, renowned for its terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Established in 1997 by Australian wine pioneer Phil Sexton, the brand’s name is inspired by the iconic jazz album Giant Steps by John Coltrane. The winery focuses on producing elegant, site-specific wines that showcase the unique personality of each vineyard.
Founder & Team
- Founder: Phil Sexton
- Head of Winemaking & Viticulture: Melanie Chester
Philosophy
Giant Steps focuses on single vineyard expression, crafting wines that reflect the cool-climate terroir of the Yarra Valley. Each wine is elegant, balanced, and meticulously crafted to highlight its vineyard site.
Vineyards
- Sexton Vineyard – steep slopes with intensely flavoured fruit
- Applejack Vineyard – high altitude, fine and spicy profile
- Primavera Vineyard – floral, fragrant Pinot Noir fruit
- Tarraford Vineyard – cool microclimate Chardonnay and Syrah
- Bastard Hill Vineyard – steep, elevated site with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir potential
- Coal River Valley, Tasmania – unique cool-climate Pinot Noir source
Signature Wines
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the flagship wines, with single vineyard bottlings from Applejack, Sexton, and Primavera vineyards standing out. The winery also produces select varietals to showcase the breadth of the Yarra Valley’s terroir.
Accolades
Recognized among Australia’s elite cool-climate producers, Giant Steps has earned awards including Halliday Winery of the Year 2025 and top Pinot Noir accolades at leading wine competitions.
Food Pairing
Mushrooms
Location
Additional information
| Grape/Blend | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Origin | Australia |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Type | White Wine |
| Region/Appelation | Yarra Valley |
| Style | white – Buttery and complex |
| Producer | Giant Steps |
| Vintage | 2023 |