Where do we start for this month? So much has happened and I know a lot of you have read in the local news about Flagstone Wines being bought by a big international wine business called Vinarchy. Many of you may be concerned about what is going to happen to your beloved Flagstone being part of this giant wine business. Let’s put the facts straight and ease everyone’s minds. Grab a glass of your favourite Flagstone wine, preferably a red with these cold temperatures, and enjoy the monthly newsletter.
Flagstone was purchased in 2008 by a business called Constellation Wines, which was then biggest wine company in the world. The Australian and UK business was subsequently sold in 2011 and a new company, Accolade Wines, was formed. Flagstone forms part of this UK business and our holding company has been Accolade Wines since 2011.
Below is an extract from the global media release telling you more about Vinarchy:
30 April 2025, Sydney, Australia: Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL) – a consortium of international institutional investors – announces the creation of Vinarchy, a new global wine company and future industry leader. Vinarchy combines the assets of wholly-owned Accolade Wines with the Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses formerly owned by Pernod Ricard, which were acquired by AWL in April 2025.
Vinarchy is one of the world’s largest specialist wine companies, with more than AU$1.5 billion in annual net sales revenue. The business is focused on wine, comprises a multitude of leading wine brands, operates across multiple countries with distribution around the world, and employs more than 1,600 people globally.
Vinarchy has 11 wineries in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Spain, producing more than 32 million 9LE cases annually, and owns Berri Estates, the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere.
What does this all mean for Flagstone and the team? It is business as usual, and we are going to keep on making the delicious wine that you love to drink. That brings me to what is happening currently in the vineyards and the winery.
Our vineyards are now getting ready for their long-awaited rest – winter dormancy. After all the grapes have been picked, the vineyards were still hard at work building up reserves in their roots for springtime and bud break. Now they can shed their last leaves and enter their winter sleep.
Unfortunately, we cannot say the same in the cellar. We are still busy with malolactic fermentation and the last part of the deep cleaning after harvest. We are also starting to taste and plan the blending of the 2024 red wines for Dragon Tree, Treaty Tree Classique Red and Truth Tree.
I am heading off to Johannesburg the last week of May to go and promote our wines in the city of gold and help Tshidi with some wine dinners that she has arranged for me.
Stay warm and remember: a glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away.
Cheers,
Gerhard Swart
Meet Siyabonga Qokonyeka
"Hi, my name is Siyabonga Qokonyeka. I started working for the company 2007 as the cellar hand. My day to day job includes barrel downs, blending, racking of wine, filtration, forklift operator, truck driver, first aider and day-to-day work in and around the cellar."
The Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2024: Limited stock available at Cellar Door
Our award-winning Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – recently crowned with Grand Gold and the South African Revelation Trophy at the Sauvignon Selection by CMB – will be available in a limited amount at the tasting room. Don’t miss the chance to get your hands on this celebrated vintage while it is available.
Wines on promotion: 28 May - 8 June 2025
Poetry Cinsault Rosé 2023
Was: R570.00 per case
Now: R381.90 per case
Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Was: R570.00 per case
Now: R381.90 per case
Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Was: R930.00 per case
Now: R623.10 per case
Truth Tree Pinotage 2021
Was: R1 020.00 per case
Now: R683.40 per case
Click HERE to shop these wine specials.
Food and wine pop-up events
Join us for two special Saturday pop-up events at the Flagstone tasting room with Chef Mo on 31 May and 7 June, from 12h00 to 15h00. Expect a relaxed afternoon of great food, award-winning wines and good company, all in our beautiful tasting room space.
Pop-up menu: 31 May
Starter
Ceviche of line dish with naartjie segments and ginger vinaigrette - R100
Mains
Crispy Gochujang chicken boa buns with pickles and fruit salsa - R155
Korean braised short rib with red rice and pickles - R165
Dessert
Kaffir lime leaf posset with fresh pineapple, passionfruit and snap biscuit - R90
Pop-up menu: 7 June
Starter
Whipped feta with spiced chickpeas and Kitke bread - R90
Mains
Panko-breaded chicken fillet with honey chili glaze and polenta - R155
Slow braised oxtail with creamy mash and pan-seared veg - R165
Baked sweet potato with Tahini butter chickpeas - R100
Dessert
Cinnabon trio: classic cinnamon sugar, dark chocolate, and pecan nut with cream cheese frosting - R90
To book your table, email flagstone.wines@vinarchy.com or call our Tasting Room at 021 850 5891. We can’t wait to see you there!