Yarra Valley producer of cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from named vineyard sites.
The producer
Giant Steps is a Yarra Valley producer centred on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its range includes the Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay, a multi vineyard wine, and Sexton Chardonnay, a named vineyard bottling. The winery works across Yarra Valley sites and Tasmania. Single vineyard wines carry the vineyard name from grape source to bottle. Whole bunch pressing can reduce harsh tannin extraction, and lees ageing contributes to the Chardonnay's creamy texture.
Known for
Cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Notable facts
Melanie Chester became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture in November 2021.
Giant Steps was named 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year.
The 2023 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir won the Pinot trophy at Halliday.
Farming Bastard Hill costs about A$10,000 more per hectare than valley floor operations.
The story
Ownership Changed, Winemaking Continued
Phil Sexton founded Giant Steps in 1997 to pursue cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Yarra Valley. In 2020, Jackson Family Wines acquired the winery and the Sexton and Applejack vineyards. Sexton remained as general manager, while Steve Flamsteed continued as chief winemaker. The ownership changed, but both men stayed with Giant Steps. The sale kept the founder involved in management and the existing winemaking lead in place as the winery joined the Jackson Family Wines portfolio in Australia.
From the atlas
Giant Steps
Yarra Valley producer of cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with vineyard wines from Victoria and Tasmania.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Main grapes
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Signature wine
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Other named wine
Sexton Chardonnay
Defining feature
Named vineyard wines across Yarra Valley and Tasmania
The Producer
Giant Steps is a Yarra Valley producer focused on cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from named vineyards. The winery has six vineyard sites in the Valley and one in Tasmania. The vineyard name appears with the grape and on the bottle.
Place
The producer is based in the Yarra Valley, where cool conditions suit its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir focus. The portfolio also reaches Tasmania through one vineyard site. At Bastard Hill, summer temperatures can be four to five degrees cooler than on the valley floor. Ray Guerin planted the vineyard in 1987 for sparkling wine production.
Wines
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022 is made from Chardonnay grown at five vineyard sources. They include Sexton, Tarraford, Applejack, Primavera and Wombat Creek. Whole bunch pressing can reduce harsh tannin extraction. Ageing on lees contributes to the wine's creamy texture. It was aged in 15 percent new French oak and underwent 5 percent malolactic fermentation. The palate shows grilled almonds, peaches, wet stone minerality and citrus.
Sexton Chardonnay 2019 is a single vineyard Chardonnay with mineral complexity, restrained richness and ageing potential.
Final Word
The range includes named vineyard wines and the multi vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay. Vineyard location and cellar method shape the wines.