Steve Flamsteed, Head Winemaker at Giant Steps Wine, (Yarra Valley, AUS)

Years In the Industry:
I have been in the wine community for kind of 30 years, beginning with a vintage in Beaujolais back in 1989 (after failing an audition to Clown school in Chalons-sur-Marne). My history prior to that was in cooking and in there was a side step to learn about farmhouse cheese. I’ve been settled here in the Yarra for 18 years now…
 
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
Our year is one big growing-season cycle but like any business there are always spanners in the works and there rarely seems to be a normal. It’s sometimes difficult to be able to get your head up above that and kind of look across the whole zoo. What we do - it’s kind of weird to call it “work” as it’s way bigger than that and the title work doesn’t really fit – is such a massive part of my life so making sure that I remember the family amongst all of that is challenging. I have been gifted with an incredible partner (Jano) and three very strong-willed kids (Lucy, May and Maxine) who give me a massive amount of support but also keep me in line.

I have learnt to yell out for help, to share problems rather than try to absorb them. My friends are more important now than ever before in my life, particularly the old mates.
 
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
I work with people for whom I not only feel a deep respect but with whom I am just happy to hang out. People who can think laterally, who are less task-oriented and more about solving problems and challenges with an empathetic, supportive approach. 
 
We are only a small crew in the winery, but whenever we do important stuff like nailing a blend it is very democratic…three brains, palates and opinions are (more than 3 x) better than one. We also understand – especially at vintage - that not everyone is peaking all of the time, so we try to recognise that and adjust the day’s work accordingly. 
 
We eat a lot of cake; we are surrounded by music all the time.
 
I have also learnt to accept that I can only have control on so much. I trust and believe in the people who are around me, and that’s the only way to do really achieve amazing things. But critical to that is that we support each other.  
 
So not only is it about the sum of the parts...but it means we aren’t all carrying around any more stress or pressure than is necessary.
 
The other thing I use to balance things - I know this is big for all of us - is exercise, every day. Ever since I was a young kid and realised how much I enjoyed food, I worked out that if you can strike a balance between intake and output you can exist in that equilibrium. The stress relief and mental well-being that also comes out of that is enormous. Swimming is ace, there is something very balancing in that. Get into the pool with a problem and you will pretty much always get out with a solution. 
 
We live in a pretty special part of the world here in the Yarra, so it’s hard to complain about being stuck here at the moment. Cooking is a foil and relief and I have to admit I am loving the home time.
 
Live music is missing from all of our lives at the moment and it’s frustrating to live near a city that has its culture based on that, but I accept - like most Melburniuns and extra-Melburniuns - that this is only a finite or temporary situation. When it’s back (along with eating out) it will be so much more special and cherished and appreciated.
 
You can connect with Steve on Instagram.