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Page 1: Giant Steps
Page 2: Giant Steps

Healesville

Yarra Junction

Coldstream

SteelsCreek

Yarra Glen

Gladysdale

Arthur’s Creek Vineyard

Sexton Vineyard

Gladysdale Vineyard

Applejack Vineyard

Tarraford Vineyard

To Melbourne

Yarra River

Lilydale

Giant Steps Winery

Giant Steps is an independent Yarra Valley winery owned by Phil Sexton. Giant Steps took its name from the eponymous jazz album by John Coltrane, cut in 1960 as he consolidated his solo career after leaving Miles Davis.

Phil moved across Australia in 1997 after selling Devil’s Lair Vineyard in the Margaret River, to start again in the Yarra Valley. The region was chosen because it presented Phil with an opportunity to pursue his passion for restrained Chardonnay, cool climate Cabernet/Merlot blends and Pinot Noir.

Giant Steps focuses exclusively on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. Grapes are drawn from estate and leased vineyards as well as grapes from long-term contracted growers, supported by strong relationships and meticulous supervision throughout the year. Giant Steps wines are produced fastidiously in the vineyard and vinified with minimal intervention so that each wine is a faithful expression of site, vintage and culture.

The first commercial release of Giant Steps was from the Sexton vineyard in 2001.

G I A N T S T E P S : I N T RODUC T ION

INTRODUCTION

Page 3: Giant Steps

“A stand-out producer of the Yarra Valley… vineyard by vineyard, they offer a positive insight into the terrior of the Yarra Valley”

Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller Wine, November 2011

“...it’s single vineyard wines are already proving to be something rather special”

Jane Faulkner The Age Epicure March 2011

“The wine is a culmination of our understanding of the vineyard and what we do it. It’s quite humbling because it’s not about us. It’s definitely the site”

Steve Flamsteed Head Winemaker

“This piece of land, now called Sexton Vineyard, is the heart of their exceptional single vineyard wines, which also includes Tarraford, Gladysdale and Arthurs Creek, each stimulating in different ways”

Tim White Australian Financial Review April 2011

G I A N T S T E P S

Page 4: Giant Steps

STeve FlamSTeeD HeaD WINemakeR

Steve’s first qualification was in food, completing a chef ’s apprenticeship in Brisbane in the mid 1980’s. Steve developed a number of culinary passions, including cheese making, which would take him to France to study this trade but it was after working at Chateau du Bluizard in the Beaujolais region that Steve was inspired to become a qualified winemaker.

Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Wine Science) in 1993 from Roseworthy Agricultural College, and in 1994, having maintained his passion for cheese, he won a Queen’s Trust Scholarship to study farmhouse cheese making in France. Steve then spent a year working as a cheesemaker at Milawa in North Eastern Victoria.

As a winemaker, Steve has worked for Leeuwin Estate in the Margaret River (1999 – 2002) and the Yarra Burn Winery in the Yarra Valley (2002 – 2003) before joining Giant Steps as a Winemaker in August 2003. Steve is also a Len Evans Scholar, has completed several vintages overseas, including in Alsace and Brouilly, and is an experienced show judge.

STUaRT maRSHall HeaD vITICUlTURIST

Stuart completed his degree in Applied Science in Agriculture at Dookie in Victoria and in 1994 took a position as Assistant Vineyard Manager for Mt Helen Vineyards in the Strathbogie Ranges. In 1995 he worked vintages at T’Gallant winemakers on the Mornington Peninsula and Stonier Wines. In 1997 Stuart was promoted to Viticulturist. He continued to further his education, including a Postgraduate Certificate in Wine Technology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management from Monash University. Stuart has also visited several overseas wine regions including California, Oregon, Burgundy, Bordeaux and New Zealand.

Fast gaining a reputation in the industry for his skills and knowledge, Stuart was lured to Giant Steps as Head Viticulturist in 2009.

PHIl SexTON PROPRIeTOR

Born in Busselton, Western Australia, and growing up in the early years of the Margaret River wine industry, Phil was captivated by the recognition that wine growing offered an opportunity to engage in agriculture, the ether, art and science.

Phil is a Science graduate from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Science graduate from the University of Birmingham (England) in Fermentation and Brewing Science.

Phil’s career in brewing includes Brewmaster at the Swan Brewing Company in Perth, co-founder of the Matilda Bay Brewing Company and co-founder of Little Creatures Brewing Company. Phil has also brewed in Belgium, Germany and the USA.

Phil’s wine career includes studying Wine Science at Charles Sturt University (incomplete), founding Devils Lair winery in Margaret River and, more recently, Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley.

Nowadays Phil still remains close to his friends in the craft beer business, while focusing his time and energy towards the single vineyard wines of Giant Steps.

G I A N T S T E P S : PE OPL E G I A N T S T E P S : PE OPL E

Page 5: Giant Steps

SexTON vINeYaRD

Cane and spur pruning systems are used depending on variety. Vines are trained to the VSP (Vertical Shoot Position) system, allowing for effective canopy management. Vineyard management is intensive, with tasks such as shoot thinning, crop thinning and harvesting all carefully done by hand. The vineyard is introducing biodynamic principles with the express purpose of further distinguishing the site and improving grape and wine quality. A particular objective is to enhance the natural microflora for the facilitation of indigenous fermentations in the winery.

TaRRaFORD vINeYaRD

Located in a protected valley, the vineyard has a discrete microclimate which is cooler than neighbouring vineyards. A diversity of aspect and clone provides multifaceted winemaking opportunities. Greg Liney has managed this vineyard with great passion and enthusiasm since 1996. Greg is committed to exploring biodynamic farming practices with the overall aim of further developing the vineyard fingerprint and embracing the unique personality of this site.

location: Warramate Ranges, Coldstream

elevation: 130 – 210 metres

aspect: North facing

size: 75 acres

planted: 1997

soil type: Clay loam

under vine:

Chardonnay: Mendoza, 96, 76, 95, 78 and 227

Pinot Noir: MV6, 115, 114, G5V15, Pommard, 667 and 777

Merlot: D3V14

Cabernet: SA125, CW44 and LC10

location: Tarrawarra

elevation: 100 metres

aspect: North-south and east facing

size: 21 acres

planted: 1988

soil type: Clay loam

under vine:

Chardonnay: P58

Pinot Noir: MV6, 114, 115

G I A N T S T E P S : V I N E YA R D S G I A N T S T E P S : V I N E YA R D S

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GlaDYSDale vINeYaRD

Gladysdale Vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley to the south west of the traditional ‘valley floor’. The higher altitude results in cooler growing conditions despite the westerly aspect. Apart from altitude, the distinctive rich dark-red clay soil is a distinguishing feature of the vineyard. Frost, high rainfall (during inopportune times) and hungry native wildlife are the major challenges at Gladysdale.

aRTHURS CReek vINeYaRD

Arthurs Creek Vineyard is located on a unique site in the Yarra Valley, as it sits low on a creek flat. The well-drained soil is made up of fine, lime-rich silt built up from an old creek bed. Overall this vineyard is cool and sheltered with frost an ever-present danger throughout Spring. Fruit from this old vineyard is spectacular; in particular the slow ripening chardonnay which expresses fine limey acidity.

location: Gladysdale, Upper Yarra

elevation: 320 metres

aspect: North-west facing

size: 300 acres (we source from 2 acres)

planted: 1995

soil type: Volcanic red soil

location: Diamond Valley

elevation: 170 metres

aspect: North facing

size: 8 acres

planted: 1976

soil type: Deep alluvial soil (Arthur’s Creek silt)

under vine:

Pinot Noir: MV6

under vine:

Chardonnay: I10V1

G I A N T S T E P S : V I N E YA R D S G I A N T S T E P S : V I N E YA R D S

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aPPleJaCk vINeYaRD

Applejack Vineyard is owned by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin and managed by his son Mark. This vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley and has similar growing conditions and challenges to that of the Gladysdale Vineyard. The Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic slope; it is close planted and meticulously managed.

location: Gladysdale, Upper Yarra Valley

elevation: 330 metres

aspect: North facing

size: 80 acres (we source from 4 acres)

planted: 2001

soil type: Red/brown volcanic

under vine:

Pinot Noir: (MV6, 114, 11577)

G I A N T S T E P S : V I N E YA R D S

Page 8: Giant Steps
Page 9: Giant Steps

Produced by Innocent Bystander - Vignerons and Winemakers

Winery and cellar door are one hour east of Melbourne.

Open: Mon – Fri 10 am – 10 pm

Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 8am - 10pm

Winery tours daily at 11am and 3pm

winery: 336 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Victoria 3777 australia

Phone: +61 3 5962 6111 Fax: +61 3 5962 6199

[email protected] www.innocentbystander.com.au