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.

The Yarra Valley range is made from handpicked fruit from all of our estate vineyards. The wines are produced using indigenous yeasts, gravity-flow winemaking, and minimal fining and filtration. This approach produces highly expressive wines, true to the regional characteristics of the Yarra Valley.

60/40% upper/lower Yarra Valley fruit. Hand picked and open-fermented with 60% whole berries, the remainder whole bunches. A very bright, light–medium crimson red. A gentle waft of fresh raspberries and cranberries, with just the right amount of spice-rack spices. Delicious right out of the gate, this medium-bodied and refreshing wine will age well too. The perfect introduction to modern Yarra pinot. Drink to: 2026; Price: $38.00; Date Tasted: December 2021; Alcohol: 13.5%; Rating: 96 Points & Special Value Star; Philip Rich; James Halliday Wine Companion

Hand-picked from the usual assortment of Giant Steps vineyards across the Yarra Valley. Red fruit, spice, a little pepper, something of a blood orange/Campari character too. It's slightly sappy, red cherry and spiced strawberry, again that blood orange flavour and some savoury 'autumnal' character. Tannin has light emery grip, and the finish is juicy/sweet/sour and slightly bitter, offering solid length. Good drink. Better again with a little more time in bottle. Tasted: January 2022; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $40; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2023-2027; Rated: 93 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front