FLAGSTONE

Bruce Jack's family, originally from Glasgow, fled the cold and uprooted to South Africa. They have farmed apples for cider, traded in wine and most other commodities, mined gold and built waterfronts. Fifth generation, Bruce grew up in Cape Town and wanted to be an architect like his father. Before he started his architectural studies, he was encouraged to do an arts degree in English Literature and Political Science. For extra income Bruce worked in a bottle store. He eventually completed a Master of Letters at St. Andrews University, Scotland. By then it was obvious to Bruce that architects don't make much money. Wine, by that time, had taken hold of Bruce. He chose the path of least resistance because he learnt by then that physics is our friend and we shouldn't fight the obvious.

There followed a vintage in France, a post graduate degree at The University of Adelaide and cellarhand stints in Australia and California. He returned to South Africa in 1998 and started Flagstone Winery. His first vintage was in 1999.

Flagstone's red and white wine production is housed in a 1901 Sir Herbert Baker Building on the False Bay coastline. Situated 400m from the white sandy beaches of False Bay, these buildings have been lovingly restored and Flagstone Winery now finds itself positioned at the centre of their grape supply web. The staggering diversity of soil types and soil ages, combined with radically differing climates over short distances mean that South Africa has a treasure trove of grape-growing and winemaking opportunities.

At Flagstone we call this aspect of our natural biodiversity: “Home Ground Advantage”. It means we can make more complex wines at every price point – a wonderful advantage in this tough, competitive world of wine. The majority of the fruit that is crushed at Flagstone originates from the farms of Four Flagstone Core Growers, whose vineyards are contracted on a long-term basis. Bruce Jack's family farm, situated on the slopes of the Akkadisberg near Napier in the Overberg valley, about 2 hours south east from Cape Town.

Flagstone Wines also have various winemaking/winegrowing joint ventures: The Berrio, Bowwood Mountain Vineyards and Mary le Bow. The Berrio is a joint venture with Francis Pratt, who grows grapes at the Southern tip of Africa, near the small town of Elim. This appellation is the southern most winegrowing region in Africa. The climate is characterised by strong, cooling winds in summer that ensure a very cool ripening season.

Flagstone Wines also have various winemaking/winegrowing joint ventures: The Berrio, Bowwood Mountain Vineyards and Mary le Bow. The Berrio is a joint venture with Francis Pratt, who grows grapes at the Southern tip of Africa, near the small town of Elim. This appellation is the southern most winegrowing region in Africa. The climate is characterised by strong, cooling winds in summer that ensure a very cool ripening season.

Bowwood Mountain Vineyards comes from the slopes of the Perdeberg mountain in Agter-Paarl. This is a joint venture with Julian and Bridget Johnson. The Cabernet and Merlot are grown on the same south facing slope. The soil is estremely well drained which ensures intensely flavoured, elegant fruit. The unique combination of slope, aspect, soil and management means that they can make a wine that while hugely appealing and drinkable, is serious and complex. The Mary le Bow vineyards are situated in a staggerinly beautiful south-facing kloof high above Ashton in the Robertson area.

www.flagstonewines.com