2024 has been an extraordinary year for Flagstone Wines — a year to remember, with an exceptional yield of prestigious wine awards and outstanding ratings.
Flagstone’s stellar 2024 story of success, locally and internationally, has included endorsements from Winemag.co.za’s Reports; Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage Competitions; SA Terroir, Veritas, and Michelangelo Awards; The Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters; and International Wine And Spirit Competition (IWSC). These celebrations peaked when Flagstone was crowned Prescient 2024 Winery of the Year by Winemag.co.za.
This recognition from esteemed wine judges and panellists showcases the premium quality of Flagstone Wines across ranges, varietals and price points, paying tribute to the passion, creativity and dedication of Flagstone’s vineyard and winemaking teams led by Head Winemaker, Gerhard Swart.
WINEMAG.CO.ZA’S PRESCIENT BEST WINES SOUTH AFRICA 2024 REPORT
Flagstone Wines was crowned 2024 Prescient Winery of the Year by Winemag.co.za for outstanding wine ratings, across the board, throughout the year.
- Prescient Chenin Blanc Report 2024: Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2023 – Top 10 and Best Wine Overall (95/100)
- Prescient Chardonnay Report 2024: Flagstone Two Roads Chardonnay 2022 – Top 10 (94/100)
- Prescient Signature Red Blend Report 2024: Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2021 – Top 10 (93/100)
- Prescient Pinotage Report 2024: Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021 – Top 10 (93/100)
- Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2024: Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – Top 10 (92/100)
Flagstone Head Winemaker, Gerhard Swart, and his team celebrate being crowned 2024 Prescient Winery of the Year by Winemag.co.za:
Left to right: Willene Roelofse, Karel Jasson, Errol Matabeni, Dumisa Ntsukumbani, Edward Hammers, Mia Boonzaier and Gerhard Swart
2024 FNB SAUVIGNON BLANC SA TOP 10 - Flagstone Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Top 10 Winner
- Flagstone The Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – Top 20 Finalist
VERITAS AWARDS 2024 - Top Achiever for Cellars with 10 entries or less
- Four Double Gold Medals
Flagstone The Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Flagstone Word of Mouth Viognier 2023
Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021
Flagstone Treaty Tree Classique White Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 - Three Gold Medals
Flagstone Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2019
Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2021
STANDARD BANK SA CHENIN BLANC CHALLENGE 2024 - Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2023 – Top 10 Winner
MICHELANGELO INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS AWARDS 2024 - One Double Gold Medal
Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - Four Gold Medals
Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2021
Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2021
Flagstone Treaty Tree Classique White Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023
Flagstone The Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2023
ABSA TOP 10 PINOTAGE AWARDS 2024 - Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021 – Top 10 Winner
- Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2021 – Top 20 Finalist
SA TERROIR WINE AWARDS 2024 - Flagstone Treaty Tree Classique White Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 – National Winner for White Cultivar Blends
THE DRINKS BUSINESS GLOBAL SYRAH MASTERS 2024 - Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2019 – Gold Medal
INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION (IWSC) 2024 - Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021 – Gold Medal
ABSA VINTAGE PINOTAGE EXCELLENCE AWARD 2024 - Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2008 – Winner
SEE BELOW - INFORMATION ON FLAGSTONE
- INFORMATION ON FLAGSTONE’S AWARD-WINNING WINES
FLAGSTONE
Flagstone Wines, an icon of innovation within the formidable Accolade Wines’ portfolio, is located on the outskirts of Somerset West at Paardevlei, an exciting, upcoming, vibrant area in the Helderberg.
Flagstone Philosophy and Handcrafted Wines
“At Flagstone we aim to make wine that respects our 350-year-old winemaking heritage, while always celebrating the magnificence of nature. We want to make gorgeous wines that stimulate your brain as much as they please your tastebuds.
Flagstone celebrates creativity and innovation with a winemaking methodology of ‘vines need to be pruned, but ideas must be left to grow wild’. Wine is ‘the marriage of nature and human imagination’. Mother Nature provides the grapes, but flashes of inspiration and creativity transform them into fabulous, captivating wines.
The creativity behind Flagstone is visible in our range of wine’s distinctive names and unique stories — inspired by our country, our people and our winelands — evocative tales captured in fascinating pen-and-ink label artwork.
Flagstone wines are produced with a massive commitment to craftsmanship and care, twinned with an equal dedication to ethical viticulture and environmental protection. Since the 2020 vintage, our wines have been certified vegan, with only plant-based fining agents used in the cellar. Beyond creative flair and ethical production, it is what’s inside the bottle that really counts, and Flagstone delivers on both quality and value.
Every handcrafted bottle of Flagstone wine is a journey with many twists and turns. It can never be hurried and there are no shortcuts. Step by step our fanatical dedication guides us to our journey’s end: the rewarding taste of delicious, distinctive wines. It’s a painstaking approach that has won us more than a few awards. And, more importantly, a legion of wine lovers who savour the unhurried quality of Flagstone.
Flagstone’s Head Winemaker, Gerhard Swart, believes that one should never stagnate, ‘You always have to be thinking about how you can stand out from the crowd — be it more interesting labels, varieties or combining particular terroirs to create wines that are intriguing and unique.’ Gerhard has a celebrated winemaking journey, having worked with prominent mentors Bruce Jack and Chris Keet on his way to leading Flagstone’s wine production. Gerhard has taken Flagstone to new levels of excellence and is responsible for a handsome trophy cabinet and wine bottles that glitter with awards.”
History
Ever-innovative winemaker and savvy marketer Bruce Jack started Flagstone in 1998 in a run-down shell of an old depot at the V&A Waterfront. At the time this was South Africa’s first winery without its own vineyards, drawing on five core vineyards across the Cape managed in long-term partnerships with farmers. Flagstone became distinct for its quirkiness and willingness to buck established trends, and this drew a loyal and passionate audience of wine lovers who appreciated what Flagstone stood for and fell in love with the wines.
Wine production outgrew the Waterfront location and in 2002 Flagstone moved to an old dynamite factory, originally built by Cecil Rhodes, in Somerset West. With thick walls and huge doors, perfect for moving equipment in and out, this location has proved ideal for making all Flagstone wines.
In 2007 Flagstone was sold to Constellation Brands, the world’s largest wine company, which was renamed Accolade Wines in 2011. Today Flagstone is an icon of innovation within the formidable Accolade Wines portfolio.
Bruce Jack’s longtime highly acclaimed protégé Gerhard Swart is Flagstone’s head winemaker. A philosophy that blends ambitious dedication, and a fastidious attention to detail with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, is key to Gerhard’s success as a winemaker. Bruce Jack believes that Gerhard is the best winemaker he has ever met.
A VISIT TO FLAGSTONE WINES
A hidden gem on the outskirts of Somerset West, the Flagstone Cellar Door offers a unique experience for wine lovers. Expect a warm welcome from excellent and knowledgeable hosts, a relaxed atmosphere, and a wide range of superbly crafted wines offering outstanding value. Flagstone recently introduced Cheese Boards (from Dalewood Fromage) to enjoy alongside your wines.
Follow Flagstone on social media for information about their Music Events, Movie Nights, Special Tastings and Celebrations, and Winemaker’s Dinners. And don’t miss the bi-monthly Food and Wine Pop-Ups which present a wonderful occasion to savour top-tier food and wine in peaceful surroundings.
You will find Flagstone Winery at Paardevlei, WR Quinan Boulevard, Somerset West. To visit Flagstone, enter Paardevlei opposite the Strand Golf Estate entrance, take the first exit at the roundabout to check in with security, and then follow the signs to the winery.
Flagstone Winery and Tasting Room
Address: W.R. Quinan Blvd, Paardevlei, Somerset West, 7129
Telephone: Flagstone Winery: +27 21 852 5052; Tasting Room: +27 21 850 5891
Categories: News
