From the winemaker
I am writing this newsletter as I am lying on the couch with my right foot heavily bandaged and on a stack of cushions. On Thursday, 13 November 2025, I went for foot surgery to fix what clever doctors call Morton’s Neuroma. This is a nerve injury in the foot that causes a thickening of the nerve close to the front of the foot normally between toe 3 and 4. I have been struggling with this since May and the last resort was to cut the nerve out, and now it is the long road to recovery.
On the brighter side, the vineyards are looking great and very healthy. We have sufficient growth even in the dry land vineyards and so far good fruit set with good crop levels are predicted.
The one big risk that we are facing this season is ground water where we had no rain in spring so far, and long term forecasts are not looking great. We need some rain in December or early January to help the vines through a very dry year we had so far. But we stay positive and manage the vineyards for a drier year with specific adjustments to our normal strategy. This involves earlier irrigations where we have irrigated vineyards and not breaking off too many leaves on the dry land vines as we risk sunburn with the “canopy” opening up naturally earlier due to the dry conditions.
I travelled to the UK at the end of October for 10 days to support our sales teams in the northern hemisphere. My first stop was Aberdeen in Scotland, and what a shock to the system to go from around 25-30°C back down to 3-10°C! I had to dig out all my winter clothes again!
Next stop was London, where I spent the weekend presenting some of the own label wines we make at the Laithwaite’s wine show. There were 4 000 tickets sold for 4 tastings sessions from Friday to Sunday. It was a very busy show to say the least.
Then I headed north again to Manchester for some trade tastings, and very excited about the possibility to get Flagstone Wines listed in the premium lounges at Manchester City.
I then travelled South West to Bristol where I spent some time in our Bristol office and also did two wine dinners. One was in small village in Wales called Chepstow in a beautiful, restored village pub/restaurant. The next evening was a dinner at one of 3 starred Michelin and celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's restaurants. I'm excited to confirm that we already have Noon Gun and Longitude listed in his 28 restaurants, with Writer's Block Pinotage following soon and a possibility of some more of the Flagstone wines.
We have had a very good and successful year with wine ratings and competitions and look forward to celebrating our successes on Saturday, 29 November 2025.
Cheers,
Gerhard Swart
Exciting news: Platter's Guide 2026 results
We are proud to share that our Velvet 2023 has been awarded Shiraz-Based Red Blend of the Year in the Platter Guide 2026. This recognition highlights the craft, care, and vineyard work that goes into every bottle, and we’re incredibly grateful to our team for the dedication behind it.
Alongside this, both Velvet 2023 and Dark Horse Shiraz 2021 received an outstanding 5 stars, while Time Manner Place Pinotage 2022, Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Writer’s Block Pinotage 2022, Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2024, The Surge Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Paradise Lost Cap Classique 2021, Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2022 and Word of Mouth Viognier 2024 each achieved an impressive 4.5 stars.
We're incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the continued support that makes milestones like this possible.
Flagstone at Winex Johannesburg
Our team also spent time at Winex in Johannesburg this year, sharing our wines with guests, connecting with wine lovers, and introducing more people to the Flagstone story. It was a great opportunity to showcase our range and meet supporters face-to-face. We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by to taste and chat with us.
Tasting room closed: 29 November and 4 December
Please note that the Flagstone Tasting room will be closed on Saturday, 29 November 2025 for our Award Celebration.
We will also be closed on Thursday, 4 December 2025 for a private function.
Wines on promotion: 25 November - 7 December
Enjoy a 33% discount on the following Flagstone wines:
Poetry Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Was: R570 per case
Now: R381.90 per case
Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Was: R570 per case
Now: R381.90 per case
The Surge 2023
Was: R1 560 per case
Now: R1 045.20 per case
Dark Horse Shiraz 2020
Was: R2 370 per case
Now: R1 587.90 per case
Click HERE to shop these wine specials online.
Food and wine pop-up events
We're excited to share the new menus for our monthly food and wine pop-up events, happening on 28 November and 5-6 December and 19-20 December 2025. Join us at the tasting room between 12h00 and 15h00 to savour these exquisite dishes prepared by chefs Mark and Mo.
Be sure to book your spot now by contacting us at flagstone.wines@vinarchy.com or by calling 021 850 5891. We hope to see you there!
Flagstone pop-up menu: 28 November, 5-6 December
Starter
Asian chicken wontons with peanut spring onion rayu - R100
Main
Oven baked linefish with coconut jasmine rice, wok seared broccolini and honey sesame butter sauce - R160
Thai hot beef fillet with ginger and coriander vegetable salad, gyozo dipping and buckwheat noodles - R160
Dessert
Coconut rice brûlée with ginger poached pears and dark chocolate - R90
Flagstone pop-up menu: 19-20 December
Starter
Blackened salmon with citrus labne and cucumber relish - R100
Main
Fire-grilled baby cinnamon chicken with roast carrot and ginger salad pomegranate and crisp sweet potatoes - R160
Karoo lamb rump braised with tamarind and coconut with black rice dumpling and seared garden greens - R160
Dessert
Treacle apple tart with cheesecake and raspberry swirl ice-cream - R90