Kind Eyes

In the Yarra Valley, great single vineyard wines are being made. Mac Forbes, another South Packer, has just recently published a google earth style overview of the area that really supports understanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rux9B8abEEM

Have you ever heard of Giant Steps? Sure you have.
The owner Phil Sexton started his journey by setting up breweries such as Matilda Bay and Little Creatures. More importantly he was behind Devils Lair in Margaret River before creating the empire above mentioned. Well in this part I am focusing on the Head Winemaker - Mr. Steve Flamstead. The man whom I understand holds the fort within the Yarra developments.
I have had the great pleasure of meeting Steve a few times while he's been in Londontown. By pleasure I mean in the sense that he just doesn't represent a well known brand, with great  single vineyard Chardonnay's and Pinot Noir's that surely shows true terrior - he's just such a likeable person. He always has time for you and to answer questions.
At 22 Flammo started training as a chef in Brisbane. He then did a season in Chamonix (a popular skiing  resort in France) were we both agree a lot of Swedish youths tend to go for fun. Via Spain and working on a boat he ended up as a cellar-rat at Chateau Bluizard, Beaujolais. Were he found out that winemaking was "kinda' like cooking - but with grapes". Back in Aussie he attended the esteemed Roseworthy for three years. Voila!
Here's a little breakdown:
CHARDONNAY
Tarraford (my personal favourite, carefully and intuitively nursed by Greg) = Structured
Sexton = Creamy and seductive
Arthurs Creek = Lean and focused (I could say Chablis style but I won't)
PINOT NOIR
Sexton = Dark cherry
Tarraford = Earthy and perfumed
Gladysdale = Musk and cherries
Applejack = Spicy whole bunch

Steve is in town for the Liberty tastings, so we invited him to our legendary Sunday roast. Were I found out something even more heartwarming about him and his family.
Together He, his wife and three daughters open their home as foster parents for children in dire need of a new family and safety. As I understand it they act as a kind of halfway house while a longterm solution is being found. What if everyone did that? What if everyone cared.

Seems trivial to continue talking about the fine wine we drank. So I'll just share some photo's:

2007 Chassange-Montrachet, Premier Cru "Les Ruchottes", Domaine Ramonet and 2009 Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Boschendal.

Charlotte x