After the sale of Innocent Bystander Wines, wine maker Phil sexton wanted to transform the casual eatery that housed that brand into an environment of fine dining that reflected his high-end label Giant Steps. The space needed not only to house a refined dining experience, but also act as a cellar door with a tasting room and retail area. Bergman and Co transformed the space from a vast, loud, exposed food hall, into a place for luxurious, intimate and refined dining. They created this intimacy and elegance through beautiful tailored joinery such as the curvaceous screening and sumptuous banquette seating, bespoke feature lighting and a deep rich palette, of warm timbers, soft leathers and exquisite stone.

Special features include the living waiters station with plumbed irrigation system for the tree. The Halo Effect – the gateway to the retail space –  beautifully ordered, simple to read and easy to maintain. Custom designed forged metal, leather bound wine wall – hand made by Melbourne artisans. All lighting custom designed and locally manufactured in Melbourne.

The interior engages people in all aspects of connecting with friends, wine, food and the local environment. From enjoying a fine drop with a delicious meal in the intimate dining room, to exploring different varieties of wines in the atmospheric tasting room, to roaming through the beautiful and ordered retail section, making selecting their favourite bottles to take home both easy and enjoyable. All of these different spaces have been designed for clarity, comfort and ease of interaction between patrons and experienced staff.

Giant Steps awakens exploration of the senses by creating multiple dining and wine tasting experiences that reflect the winery / restaurant offerings. Each destination offers intimacy, privacy with a peep show beyond. Integrated into the design is a well curated space that responds to the needs of the staff, ensuring ease of maintenance and seamless customer service. It is all about the experience of wine in all its glory.