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OUR HISTORY

Our History

In 1898, De Beers Consolidated Mines, led by Cecil Rhodes, made the strategic decision to establish an explosives factory in the Cape Colony. Up until that time, explosives used in diamond and gold mining had to be imported at great expense, and the creation of a local facility would not only save significant costs but also ensure a reliable and readily available supply. Colonel William Russel Quinan from California was appointed to oversee the construction of the factory, bringing in his expertise from the Pinole Works.

The chosen site was in Somerset West, on a vast 11,600-hectare estate, now bordered by the N2 highway, the R44, and the Atlantic Ocean. This factory, known as the De Beers Dynamite Factory, became a crucial part of the region’s industrial landscape. In 1924, the factory merged with the Nobel Group, named after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, and the newly formed company was called African Explosives & Industries. The word “chemical” was later added in 1944, forming the name AECI, which remains today. Although dynamite production at the Somerset West site ceased in 1986, the location retained its historical significance as a former hub of explosive manufacturing.

In 2002, the old dynamite factory was given a fresh purpose when it was transformed into the home of Flagstone Wines. This unique conversion brought new life to the historic site, blending its industrial heritage with the craft of winemaking. Today, the former dynamite factory stands as a symbol of reinvention, housing Flagstone’s winemaking operations and offering wine lovers a distinctive experience rooted in history.

FLAGSTONE WINES

Our Handcrafted Wines

Every 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. But beyond the soft tannins and delicious flavours, there is an x-factor to Flagstone, it is how we treat the land and the people we work with. But most importantly, perhaps, is the energy that is ploughed into the creative process of winemaking. The wines are inevitably exuberant expressions of fun and joy. Nothing has changed – it is still the mantra here.

Driven by Winemaking

The Flagstone Philosophy

Flagstone Winery was born out of an idea of creating distinct, complex and interesting wines from a range of terroirs, vineyards and regions. We craft a range of distinct wines ranging from single vineyards, old vine certified as well as combining selected terroirs to create unique wines of outstanding quality and explosive flavours.

Nature and the Human Imagination

The Perfect Marriage

Every bottle of Flagstone wine is handcrafted, and so too is the label. Each product has its own unique story, with evocative tales ranging from myths of flying dragons to an allegory of a wild card – the dark horse. Wine is the marriage of nature and human imagination. Mother Nature provides the grapes but it is flashes of inspiration and creativity that transforms them into fabulous, captivating wines.

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working - Picasso.

Our core supplying vineyards under management stretch over 200km from the cool Walker Bay district within the Cape South Coastregion in the south to the Darling district in the Cape West Coast Region in the west. There are numerous carefully selected vineyards in between these regions that has been trialed and selected over more than 15 years of winemaking.

OUR PEOPLE

GERHARD SWART

Meet Our Winemaker

Flagstone’s Head Winemaker, Gerhard Swart, believes in constant innovation: “You always have to think about how to stand out, whether through unique labels, varieties, or blending terroirs.”

Raised in Strand and from an Overberg farming family, Gerhard earned his winemaking diploma in 1999 and trained under Bruce Jack and Chris Keet before leading Flagstone. His philosophy blends dedication, precision, and attention to detail—skills he attributes to his father.

Gerhard’s expertise has earned him the General Smuts Trophy twice, nine Top 10 Pinotage, five Top 12 Shiraz, three Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc and three Top 10 Chenin Blanc Awards as well as being named Top Achiever in the class for ten entries or less at the annual Veritas Awards.

Meet The Team

Cellar Door

Our Cellar Door is managed by Ilze Fouche, who brings her passion for wine and the industry to every client interaction. You’ll also see her representing Flagstone at winery events and wine tastings across the Western Cape, sharing her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the brand.

The team at Flagstone’s Cellar Door is dedicated to creating a welcoming and enriching experience for all visitors. With their combined passion for wine and deep knowledge of the brand, they ensure every guest leaves with a memorable connection to Flagstone and its unique story.

Winery Manager

Mia Boonzaier

Mia Boonzaier is responsible for running 3 different stock systems to control movement of Flagstone’s bulk wine and ensuring that Quality Management Systems are run successfully to achieve Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS) and Food Safety certification.

She also assists the Head Winemaker with the overall operation of the winery on a daily basis.

FLAGSTONE WINES

Seven Core Vineyards

We have been sourcing grapes from our seven core vineyards since 2011, including growing areas of Darling, Swartland, Wellington, Agter-Paarl, Stellenbosch, Elgin and Walker Bay. Viticultural strategies are specifically tailored to individual varieties and vineyard parameters. The natural environment in which the vines grow and bear fruit play a huge role in the style and quality of the resultant wine and we go to great lengths to study and know everything we can about that environment. This includes yearly evaluation of sustainable practices in our vineyards, for example cover crops.

As a company, we are totally committed to our world-leading “Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)” environmental sustainability scheme as well as being a member of the “Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)” which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry value chain.

OUR BRANDS

OUR FLAGSHIP

FLAGSTONE WINES

Every bottle of Flagstone wine is the result of a patient, passionate journey, with no shortcuts taken. Our dedication to quality is meticulous, guiding us step by step to create distinctive, award-winning wines that are savoured by many.

Beyond the rich flavours and soft tannins, Flagstone’s x-factor lies in how we care for the land, the people, and the creative process behind every wine. Our wines are vibrant expressions of fun and joy—a reflection of the passion that drives everything we do.

Take time to discover our wines – Trust Your Taste.

DA LUCA PROSECCO

Da Luca is proud to be Italian. Like the passion and boldness that is exuded from this beautiful country, our Prosecco echoes the effortless style and joie de vivre attitude the Italian’s are so fondly known for. The rich landscapes, the passionate people, the smell of citrus and homemade sauce and an overall ambiance that perfectly demonstrates a lust for life – this is the heart and soul of Da Luca.

KUMALA WINES

At Kumala, we believe in taking the time to ensure our wines reach their full potential. Our growers and winemakers are fully dedicated to every step of the process, ensuring our grapes are perfectly ripened.

In a fast-paced world, we find joy in the art of slow, attentive winemaking. It’s a satisfaction you’ll feel when you take a moment to enjoy a glass of Kumala—whether it’s our mellow reds, crisp whites, or fruity rosés.

Nurtured in the serene surroundings of Table Mountain, our wines embody the passion we have for this land. So, take the time to savour Kumala and make time for yourself.

FISH HOEK WINES

At Fish Hoek Wines, we believe in quality and distinctive character. the notion motivates our focus to produce stunning single grape varietals. Paired with our skilled winemaking, we aim to create wines that are artful in its simplicity.

With six single varietals in our range, you have a multitude of choices including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Shiraz, Merlot & Pinotage.

Our wines are also Fairtrade Certified. A percentage from every bottle of Fish Hoek sold goes directly into the hands of the farm workers who helped grow and harvest our grapes. It helps fund local schools, female empowerment and community groups in South Africa’s Western Cape.