Jackson Family Wines buys Giant Steps

Jackson Family Wines has acquired the Yarra Valley winery Giant Steps, a highly regarded producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Giant Steps’s founder, Phil Sexton, will stay at the winery as general manager, as will Steve Flamsteed as chief winemaker.

Founded in 1997, Giant Steps is renowned chiefly for its single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, for which it has won multiple awards.

Sexton commented that the acquisitor was a, “remarkable new chapter for Giant Steps. The Jackson family has demonstrated an invaluable commitment to the Australian wine community over the last two decades, and we feel confident in our shared vision for the winery’s future.

“The recognition of the diversity of the Yarra Valley, and the development of ‘great dirt as vineyards’ is what brought the Jackson family and Giant Steps initially together and will continue to be our key goal.”

The sale includes 75 hectares of vineyards across two monopole sites known as ‘Sexton’ and ‘Applejack’, and the winery will maintain its longstanding contracts to buy fruit from Tarraford, Wombat Creek, Primavera and Gruyere Farm.

“Our family is excited to be a part of the Yarra Valley community and to help build upon the incredible legacy of Phil Sexton and Steve Flamsteed,” said Christopher Jackson, proprietor of Jackson Family Wines.

“Our discussion with Phil started before the COVID-19 pandemic. While the global wine market has changed dramatically, it has not dampened our family’s enthusiasm towards Giant Steps.”

Jackson Family Wines’ CEO, Rick Tigner, added: “This acquisition reflects our commitment not only to Australia’s exceptional vineyards and wines, but to the global wine industry and the people who share in a long-term vision for the future.”

Giant Steps joins two other Australian wineries in Jackson Family Wines’ portfolio Down Under, Yangarra Estate and Hickinbotham Clarendon, both in McLaren Vale.

Jackson said: “Giant Steps adds a new and compelling dimension to our identity as a family-run wine business in Australia. The brightness, style and complexity of the Giant Steps wines have placed the Yarra Valley and its world-class wines on the international stage. We celebrate this achievement and are grateful to feel continually welcomed into the Australian winemaking community.”