Halliday Wine Companion

• Winery of the Year drops its brand new range | Melanie Chester of Giant Steps

  In the first episode of the new and improved Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Halliday editor and host Anna Webster speaks with Melanie Chester, head winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley. We celebrate Giant Steps being named the 2025 Winery of the Year, discuss the importance of terroir, and the inspiration behind the new Circle of Fifths range. Mel also shares insights into wine judging, the art of blending, and how music plays a role in their winemaking process. The episode closes with a look at quality control, future plans for Giant Steps, and a rapid-fire segment on Mel’s personal wine preferences. Connect with us: Giant Steps Halliday Wine Companion Awards Circle of Fifths Wine Range Giant Steps on Instagram LANGTONS Wine Companion on Instagram Halliday Wine Companion Key Takeaways Melanie Chester’s journey from South Australia to the Yarra Valley Giant Steps winning Winery of the Year 2025 Judging experience as a tool for refining winemaking skills The role of terroir in shaping Yarra Valley wines Circle of Fifths as a celebration of single vineyard wines Blending as both a creative and technical process Music as a unique part of Giant Steps' winemaking philosophy The difference between single-vineyard wines and blends The importance of quality control at every stage of production Giant Steps’ plans for vineyard expansion and future growth Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast00:52 – Melanie Chester's Journey in Winemaking02:21 – Winning Winery of the Year: Giant Steps' Achievement05:10 – The Role of Judging Experience in Winemaking07:00 – Understanding Terroir: The Unique Vineyards of Yarra Valley10:09 – The Circle of Fifths: A New Wine Range13:59 – The Art of Blending Wines18:21 – The Influence of Music in Winemaking20:09 – Single Vineyard vs Blended Wines23:02 – Tasting and Quality Control in Winemaking26:24 – Future Aspirations for Giant Steps32:15 – Quickfire Questions with Melanie Chester If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, leave a review, and share it with fellow wine enthusiasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Tradition vs. innovation in Rutherglen

  Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 17: Rowly Milhinch, Scion, Rutherglen Rutherglen is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. Grapevines came to the region in the 1850s during the gold rush and Rutherglen, as many of you will already know, became Australia's unchallenged capital of fortified wines. The future of regions like Rutherglen rely heavily on either new blood moving in or subsequent generations, from existing wine families, continuing to carry those legacies into the future. Rowland Milhinch, known as Rowly about town, is a descendant of George Francis Morris - one of Australia's pioneering vignerons of the mid 19th century. Formerly a graphic designer - Rowly applied his creative mind to the art of wine making and is now, arguably, one of the most progressive and playful wine makers in the region. To chat about the importance of new age thinking...in regions steeped heavily in tradition....please welcome Rowly. Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking? Scion After Dark Rutherglen Durif 2018 Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Muscat with Nick Brown

  Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 16: Nick Brown, All Saints, Rutherglen Today I am in Rutherglen in Victoria’s Northeast and I am joined by a descendant of wine royalty. Nick Brown from All Saints Estate. If the last name hasn’t given it away, Nick has lived and breathed wine his whole life, spending his childhood running about the cellars of his family winery Brown Brothers in Milawa. And while he initially started off pursuing a career in geological engineering, he thankfully found his way back into wine. Now, today’s area of focus is Muscat. And Muscat of Rutherglen is an Australian treasure. Knowledge that has been passed down through generations, with a history spanning over 100 years of family winemaking. Muscat is rich, complex, intense and pairs exceptionally well with savoury dishes, through to full flavoured cheeses and desserts. Please welcome, Nick. Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking? All Saints Estate Museum Rutherglen Muscat Non Vintage Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Varietal focus: Tempranillo

  Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 15: Daniel Tokar, Tokar Estate, Yarra Valley Today we are talking all things Tempranillo! There’s no denying it’s the signature wine grape of Spain, and a very very old one at that…dating back to 1100 BC. There are about 500 clones of Tempranillo in Spain alone, and it is not only one of the world’s most planted grape varieties, it’s one of the most expanded varieties globally. Meaning it’s on the increase. Daniel Tokar, from Tokar Estate in Victoria’s Yarra Valley has been surrounded by this variety since his parents established the winery in 1995. A chef by trade, Daniel provides an interesting perspective on this very old and much loved variety. Please welcome, Dan. Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking? Tokar Estate Amphora Special Release Yarra Valley Tempranillo 2019 Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Responding to COVID-19 with Dylan McMahon

  Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 14: Dylan McMahon, Seville Estate, Yarra Valley. Join me as I sit down with Dylan McMahon from Seville Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley to reflect on the last two years. From his greatest learnings, to the moments that shaped Seville Estate as a business. Dylan candidly discusses what life was like running a business during one of the most difficult periods in history, the COVID-19 global pandemic. Seville Estate was established in 1972 and has a diverse offering from accommodation, to events, an on-site restaurant, and of course, a cellar door where you can try all of their beautiful wines. Dylan McMahon is the grandson of Peter and Margaret, the founders of Seville, and he is now the chief winemaker here at the estate. So who better to chat with on the highs and lows of 2020/21, please welcome Dylan. Want to know what wine we were drinking? Seville Estate Yarra Valley Shiraz 2019 Seville Estate Old Vine Reserve Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Seville Estate Single Vineyard Series Seville Pinot Noir 2020 Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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