Yarra Valley based vigneron, Phil Sexton lives with his family in the middle of their 80 acre vineyard established on the high north face of the Warramate Ranges in the dress circle of the Yarra Valley. Specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps explore site, micro climatic and clonal differences between several specialized vineyards in the Yarra Valley including their own multi-clonal vineyard and the highly regarded Tarraford vineyard. Focused intently upon reflecting the individual and unique characteristics of each single vineyard, Giant Steps adopts a minimalist approach to winemaking including, whenever possible, vinification using indigenous yeasts and gravity flow transfers.

Blended exclusively from Giant Steps single sites in similar proportions, Circle of Fifths wines bring together the character of each vineyard in one harmonious expression. They capture the strengths of each unique sites into one wine, coming together to tell a new story.

A blend of all the single-vineyard wines. 40% whole bunches. A medium, bright crimson red. A beautifully fragrant wine with its aromas of perfectly ripened strawberry, black raspberry, rose, lavender and cinnamon stick. Unfurls on the medium-bodied, textured and mouth-filling palate. The tannins are succulent and you barely notice the whole bunches. A step up on last year's Circle of Fifths and a wine that will still be looking good a decade from now. Date: Feb 2026; Alcohol: 13.8%; Price: $62.00; Drink by: 2036; Rating: 96+ Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion

The fast-paced 2024 vintage served as a dress rehearsal for the Yarra Valley in 2025, and the team at Giant Steps were ready.The wine opens with expressive, ripe berries—lifted Morello cherry leading into lilac florals, before settling into a grounded thread of liquorice root spice. A portion of whole bunch brings both energy and intrigue, framing what is ultimately a perfumed, pure-fruited style, with oak compliments adding purposeful layers. There’s a generosity at the core—an almost plummy mid-palate that speaks to the hand of Mel Chester—making it immediately appealing, yet the finely woven tannins suggest a wine with a confident future in the cellar. It feels complete, striking harmony across high, mid and bass notes, and capturing the essence of accent points of the single vineyards within the blend. A masterful release of Circle of Fifths. Serve with pork shumai for a pairing that complements its aromatic lift and supple structure. Date: July 2026; Rating: 96 Points; Shanteh Wale; Wine Pilot