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

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)

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

• 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

• Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2023 – Top 10 Winner

Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards

• 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

• Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021 – Top 10 winner.
• Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2021 – Top 20 finalist

SA Terroir Wine Awards

• Flagstone Treaty Tree Classique White Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 – National Winner for White Cultivar Blends.

Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters

• Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2019 – Gold Medal.

International Wine and Spirit Competition

• Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2021 – Gold Medal.

Absa Vintage Pinotage Excellence Award

• Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2008 – Winner.

About 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.

“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 taste buds.

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 short-cuts. 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.

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.’ Swart has a celebrated winemaking journey, having worked with prominent mentors Bruce Jack and Chris Keet on his way to leading Flagstone’s wine production. Swart has taken Flagstone to new levels of excellence and is responsible for a handsome trophy cabinet and wine bottles that glitter with awards.”

The estate’s rich 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 long-time highly acclaimed protégé is Swart. A philosophy that blends ambitious dedication, and a fastidious attention to detail with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, is key to Swart’s success as a winemaker. Jack believes that Swart is the best winemaker he has ever met.

A visit to the hidden gem

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 bimonthly food and wine pop-ups which present a wonderful occasion to savour top-tier food and wine in peaceful surroundings. V 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.