Giant Steps has forged a reputation as one of the Yarra Valley's leading wineries, with their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay consistently among the nation's finest examples. Named 'Winery Of The Year' in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, Giant Steps continues to produce some stunning cool-climate wines. 
The 2024 Circle Of Fifths Pinot Noir is made from a blend of Giant Steps' single vineyard sites; namely Tarraford, Sexton, Primavera, Applejack and Bastard Hill. Made to showcase the strengths of these vineyards in one wine - this was meticulously crafted and fine-tuned over many blending sessions. The result is another vibrant, beautifully structured Pinot Noir with the depth and complexity found in only the Yarra Valley's finest examples. 
 
96 - Points by Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.
Along with the chardonnay, this is an exciting new addition to the Giant Steps range. A blend of all the single-vineyard wines and mainly from the vineyards in the Upper Yarra. 40% whole bunches. Gently brooding with aromas of wild black cherries and raspberries along with some whole-bunch-derived fennel seed spice and a touch of violets. Concentrated, with far more stuffing that the Yarra Pinot. Ripe, suave tannins ensure this will be worth cellaring for at least five to eight years. 
 
95 - Points by Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot.
A squeaky-clean wine with pristine red summer berries. Raspberries, strawberries and dragon fruit encased with red jelly awaiting its dollop of cream. It’s animated with fuzzy sage leaf, boisterous sumac and white pepper spice. Some lint like tannins that thread right from start to finish, you’ll be most likely sipping away steadily to really notice their shadowy presence, but they support the charismatic fruit and woodsy herbal chorus very well. This is a celebration but will go the distance too, think of cellaring for 3-6 years further. Drink now, in a couple of years and squirrel away some. This will be snapped up fast. A lovely wine to have with pork gyoza dumplings.
 
Giant Steps
When John Coltrane split with Miles Davis in the late 50s, he wasted little time releasing his visionary Giant Steps album. Winemaker (and equally successful brewmaster) Phil Sexton was inspired by the album and Coltrane's foresight. When Sexton sold his Devil's Lair vineyard in Margaret River to relocate and replant in the Yarra Valley, he named his wine in Coltrane's honor. Sexton chose Yarra Valley because of his admiration for the long aging and fine boned wines produced by the new generation of wine growers reestablishing this historic wine region. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia's most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines reflected by its ongoing, praise-worthy global acclaim including being a six-time Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of the Year, 2013-2018. Giant Steps focuses primarily on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. Grapes are drawn from estate and leased vineyards as well as fruit from long-term grower contracts, supported by strong relationships and meticulous supervision throughout the year
The Yarra Valley is a well-respected Australian wine region which occupies the eastern half of the Port Phillip viticultural zone in the diminutive state of Victoria. At complete odds with the usual, hot and dry Shiraz-growing image of Australia, Yarra Valley is best known for its bright, complex wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
 
📜 History
Founded in 1838 — among Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions.
By the 1880s, wine production was thriving.
Escaped major damage from phylloxera, unlike many other regions.
Early 1900s: Decline due to changing preferences toward fortified wines and rich Shiraz; many vineyards replaced with other crops.
Revival in the 1960s–70s, expanding rapidly through the 1990s.
By 2010, vineyard plantings reached ~9,900 acres (4,000 ha).
🍇 Grape Varieties & Wine Styles
Dominant grapes: Pinot Noir (most planted) and Chardonnay.
Secondary varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Style comparison often drawn to Burgundy (France) — due to similar climate, grape types, and terrain.
Yarra Ridge area resembles a mini Côte d’Or.
🌦️ Climate & Growing Conditions
Cool-climate region, with elevations up to 1,640 ft (500 m).
Hilly terrain provides varied exposure, shadow, and microclimates.
Rainfall: Well-timed for vine growth; dry, humid harvest season.
Spring frosts are rare and affect only lower sites.
Soils: Free-draining; irrigation essential due to limited moisture retention.
🍷 Tourism & Prestige
Located just north of Melbourne, making it Victoria’s premier wine destination.
Features luxurious cellar doors and fine dining, often compared to the “Napa Valley effect.”
Wine tourism plays a major economic and cultural role
Notable producers: Yering Station (Victoria’s first commercial winery) and Yarra Yering.
Cabernet Sauvignon often made in Bordeaux-style blends.
Yarra Shiraz tends to be savory and spicy, not fruit-forward like Barossa Shiraz.