2025 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay 750ml

The 2025 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay is a refined single-vineyard Chardonnay from Tarrawarra in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Tarraford Vineyard lies in a protected valley at approximately 100 metres elevation, with grey clay-loam soils and a cooler microclimate than neighbouring sites. The Chardonnay is planted on cooler slopes, producing wines characterised by high natural acidity, fine structure and a distinctive citrus-driven, savoury profile.

The 2025 growing season began with above-average winter rainfall, providing excellent soil moisture reserves before a warm and dry spring encouraged healthy vine growth and clean flowering. Summer remained warm and dry, bringing an earlier and relatively compressed harvest. The fruit arrived at the winery in excellent condition, with the resulting 2025 wines showing vibrant acidity, balance, depth of flavour and strong ageing potential.

Giant Steps hand-picks and carefully sorts its fruit in the vineyard. For its 2025 Chardonnay program, whole bunches were pressed before fermentation with wild yeasts in French oak puncheons. The wines were matured on full lees in a reductive environment, with restrained malolactic fermentation helping preserve freshness, tension and vineyard expression.

Tarraford’s signature is its combination of generosity and precision. Expect white peach and nectarine alongside lemon, grapefruit and citrus pith, with subtle savoury, saline and mineral characters adding complexity. The palate is finely textured and concentrated, driven by bright natural acidity through a long, tight and refreshing finish. The restrained oak influence supports the fruit rather than dominating it, creating a sophisticated expression of modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

The 2025 release continues Giant Steps’ highly regarded single-vineyard Chardonnay program, offering immediate appeal while possessing the acidity and structure to develop additional complexity with careful cellaring. Giant Steps currently lists the 2025 Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay as part of its current single-vineyard range.

Technical Details: Yarra Valley, Victoria | Chardonnay | Single Vineyard | 750ml | Screwcap