Established in 1997 in the Yarra Valley, Giant Steps has built a stellar reputation based on expressive wines with purity and finesse. The winery, founded by wine industry pioneer Phil Sexton, has become synonymous with excellence, earning the prestigious James Halliday Wine Companion 2025 Winery of the Year award.
Phil Sexton's journey began when he ventured from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley in search of the perfect site to cultivate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He found his holy grail near Gruyere in the Sexton vineyard, planted on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Named after John Coltrane’s iconic album “Giant Steps,” the winery embodies the bold and innovative spirit of its founder.
In 2003, winemaker Steve Flamsteed joined Giant Steps, and together with Phil, they produced a range of iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that reflect the profound sense of place from six distinct sites in the Yarra Valley. Under Steve’s guidance, the winery has amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including 20 Trophies and 50 Gold Medals from major wine shows. Notable achievements include the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards Single Vineyard Trophy for the 2007 Sexton Chardonnay, 2009 Tarraford Chardonnay, and 2013 Applejack Pinot Noir.
Giant Steps' commitment to showcasing the unique characteristics of single vineyard sites has remained unwavering. Winemaker Melanie Chester, who became Head of Winemaking and Viticulture in 2021, continues this tradition of excellence. Melanie emphasizes maintaining tight and transparent winemaking practices to ensure the wines express the diversity of their sites. “The wines will never look the same because the vineyards continue to change,” she explains, “but we are committed to ensuring that the quality will be the same if not better.”
For more than 20 years, Giant Steps has advanced Australia’s reputation for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their vineyards are meticulously planted with a selection of clones best suited to the Yarra Valley’s conditions, including Chardonnay (Mendoza, 96, 76, 95, 78, and 227) and Pinot Noir (MV6, 115, 114, G5V15, Pommard, 667, and 777), along with Merlot (D3V14) and Cabernet (SA125, CW44, and LC10).
Giant Steps' dedication to quality has been consistently recognized. The winery has been named Winery of the Year by Wines & Spirits magazine multiple times (2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016) and was included in the Wine & Spirits Top 100 list in 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.
Recent accolades include:
- 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year
- 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Pinot Noir of the Year for the 2023 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir
- Best Shiraz Trophy for the 2022 Tarraford Vineyard Syrah
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy for the 2022 Sexton Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy
- The Len Evans Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine for the 2022 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir
- The Dr. Bill Ryan Best Pinot Noir of Show
- The Stodart Trophy for Best Red Table Wine of Show
- The Angelo Puglisi Grand Champion Wine of Show for the 2022 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir
Giant Steps’ journey is a testament to the passion and dedication of its team, including founder Phil Sexton, winemaker Steve Flamsteed, grower Lou Primavera, and respected viticulturist Ray Guerin. Ray planted the Applejack Vineyard in 1997, a unique site located on a dramatic slope in the upper Yarra Valley, which Giant Steps became the custodian of in 2013. As Mel Chester notes, Applejack is “truly exceptional – one of the great Pinot Noir sites in Australia.”
For those seeking an extraordinary wine experience, Giant Steps offers a journey through the rich terroir of the Yarra Valley, captured and bottled by one of the world’s most respected winemaking teams.
