2024 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 750ml

The 2024 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay is a refined single-vineyard Chardonnay from Tarrawarra in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Tarraford sits at approximately 100 metres elevation on grey clay-loam soils, with its Chardonnay planted on the vineyard’s cooler slopes. The site is known for producing Chardonnay with pithy fruit, savoury saline character, fine texture and a long line of natural acidity.

The 2024 vintage marked a return to a more classic Yarra Valley growing season. A cool start to spring and favourable flowering produced moderate yields, followed by a mild December and useful early-January rainfall. Warmer, drier conditions through February accelerated ripening, resulting in a compressed harvest but fruit with excellent flavour, bright acidity and balance.

The fruit was 100% hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed before being transferred directly to barrel by gravity without settling, retaining full lees. Fermentation took place in 500L French oak puncheons, with 37% malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for nine months in French oak, using just 10% new oak and 90% seasoned barrels, allowing texture and complexity to develop without overwhelming the vineyard character.

The 2024 Tarraford is generous yet beautifully focused, showing peach, apricot and citrus alongside lemon oil, subtle vanilla and savoury mineral notes. The palate is creamy and textural, balanced by a fine line of refreshing acidity that provides precision, structure and impressive length. Its combination of ripe stone fruit, citrus freshness and restrained oak makes this a sophisticated expression of modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

The wine received 96 points from Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, as well as 96 points from James Suckling. It also collected Gold Medals at the 2025 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge, Royal Queensland Wine Awards and Yarra Valley Wine Show.

Technical Details: 13.2% Alcohol | Yarra Valley, Victoria | Chardonnay | Single Vineyard | Screwcap | 9 Months French Oak | 10% New Oak