What does it take to become Australia's best winemaker? And what happens when you win two of the country's most prestigious wine awards in the same year?
In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, we sit down with Steve Flamsteed, the 2027 Halliday Winemaker of the Year, whose Tasmanian wine venture, Decades, also claimed the coveted Best New Winery award.
From helping transform Giant Steps into one of Australia's most celebrated producers of Yarra Valley pinot noir and chardonnay to launching an award-winning Tasmanian winery with longtime friend and Stone & Wood co-founder Brad Rogers, Steve's journey is anything but conventional.
Originally trained as a chef, Steve's career has taken him from the kitchens of Maggie Beer's Pheasant Farm to cheesemaking in France, winemaking at Leeuwin Estate and more than 17 years shaping the wines of Giant Steps alongside founder Phil Sexton.
Steve shares the fascinating story behind Innocent Bystander's wildly successful Pink Moscato, how its commercial success helped fund Giant Steps' expansion into exceptional single-vineyard sites, and the lessons he learnt along the way.
We also head south to Tasmania's Coal River Valley, where Steve and Brad have turned a friendship spanning more than three decades into Decades, a boutique producer focused on premium cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay.
Steve explains what makes Tasmanian pinot noir so different from Yarra Valley pinot, the importance of soils, clones and whole-bunch fermentation, and why the 2025 Decades Pinot Noir might be one of the best wines he's ever made.
But beyond the awards, vineyards and wines, there's a philosophy at the heart of Steve's approach to winemaking: wine isn't an industry – it's a community.
From the generosity of fellow winemakers to the importance of challenging convention, continuing to learn and surrounding yourself with great people, Steve reflects on what really makes a great winemaker.
In this episode, we explore:
Steve's unlikely journey from chef and cheesemaker to Halliday Winemaker of the Year.
Working alongside Maggie Beer and the lessons that shaped his approach to winemaking.
The early days of Giant Steps and Phil Sexton's vision for Yarra Valley pinot noir and chardonnay.
How Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato helped finance the growth of Giant Steps.
The story of Decades and Steve's 30-plus-year friendship with Brad Rogers.
Why Tasmania's Coal River Valley is such an exciting region for cool-climate wine.
The differences between making pinot noir and chardonnay in Tasmania and the Yarra Valley.
Vineyard selection, whole-bunch fermentation and the pursuit of exceptional pinot noir.
Why collaboration, curiosity and community are essential to making great Australian wine.
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About the guest
Steve Flamsteed is the 2027 Halliday Winemaker of the Year and one of Australia's most respected cool-climate winemakers. Formerly chief winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, Steve helped establish its reputation for exceptional single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay. Today, he is a director and senior consultant at Wine Network Consulting, produces Salo chardonnay, and co-owns Decades in Tasmania's Coal River Valley with longtime friend Brad Rogers.
Follow Steve Flamsteed on Instagram
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Discover Decades:
https://decadeswine.com.au/
Follow Decades on Instagram
Steve Flamsteed – Wine Network Consulting:
https://winenet.com.au/team/steve-flamsteed/
Steve Flamsteed – Halliday Winemaker of the Year:
Read Steve's Halliday Winemaker of the Year profile
Discover Decades on Halliday Wine Companion:
Read the Decades winery profile
