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.
Flagstone Wines' stellar 2024 story of success, locally and internationally, has included endorsements from Winemag.co.za’s reports; the Top 10 Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinotage competitions; Michelangelo, SA Terroir Wine, and Veritas Awards; The Drinks Business' Global Syrah Masters; and the 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, varieties and price points, paying tribute to the passion, creativity, and dedication of Flagstone's vineyard and winemaking teams led by head winemaker Gerhard Swart.
Flagstone's awards for 2024
Winemag.co.za’s Prescient Best Wines South Africa 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: Flagstone Paradigm Chenin Blanc 2023 – Top 10 and Best Wine Overall (95/100 pts)
- Prescient Chardonnay Report: Flagstone Two Roads Chardonnay 2022 – Top 10 (94/100 pts)
- Prescient Signature Red Blend Report: Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2021 – Top 10 (93/100 pts)
- Prescient Pinotage Report: Flagstone Writer's Block Pinotage 2021 – Top 10 (93/100 pts)
- Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report: Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – Top 10 (92/100 pts)
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
Flagstone won the trophy for the 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
- 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
The Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters
- Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2019 – Gold medal
International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC)
- Flagstone Writer's Block Pinotage 2021 – Gold medal
Absa Vintage Pinotage Awards of Excellence
- Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2008 – Winner
Flagstone's winemaking philosophy
At Flagstone, the team aims to make wine that respects South Africa's 350-year-old winemaking heritage while always celebrating the magnificence of nature. They 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 their wine range's distinctive names and unique stories. These are inspired by their country, their people and their 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, their 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 their fanatical dedication guides them to their journey’s end: the rewarding taste of delicious, distinctive wines. It’s a painstaking approach that has won them 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 a new level of excellence and is responsible for a handsome trophy cabinet and wine bottles that glitter with awards.
Flagstone's winery and tasting room in Paardevlei, Somerset West.
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 wine 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 WR Quinan Boulevard, Paardevlei, 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.
You can buy Flagstone wines at the cellar door, at select retailers and wine merchants nationwide, and online at flagstonewines.com.