THE IMPORTANCE
OF LOCATION
THE IMPORTANCE
OF LOCATION
OF LOCATION
oUR PHILSOPHY IS SIMPLE.
The majority of our fruit is sourced from growers within the Margaret River Wine Region and we occassionally select small batches from Geogrpahe and Frankland River if there is something special or unique on offer.
Each of our source vineyards has its own unique terrior with a specific micro-climate and soil types, producing fruit with individual characters and flavours.
We see it as a tremendous benefit to be able to 'cherry pick' different varieties from within the region and choose sites where they reach their highest potential in aroma and flavour.
Within the Margaret River wine region there are several distinct grapegrowing areas which have historically been referred to a "sub-regions". Even though they are not offical registered apellations (called Geographical Indicators - GI's in Australia) we still use ythis term to indentify the area from which we sourced our grapes for the S.R.S. range.
"Margaret River is my winemaking heartland and after 15 vintages I've established a pretty good understanding of what works and what doesn't. This is reflected in my philosophy that if you get the right varieties planted on the right sites you're well on your way to making fantastic wines. Selecting premium parcels of fruit from the diverse geography of the Margaret River region allows me to make complex single varietals and really interesting blends."— Chief Winemaker, Cliff Royle
Chief Winemaker
Cliff Royle
Cliff Royle is one of Australia’s most acclaimed winemakers, with nearly 30 years of experience - 16 of those as Chief Winemaker at Flametree Wines in Margaret River. Renowned for his intuitive approach and passion for Chardonnay, Cliff has helped shape the region’s modern style, defined by purity, elegance, and power. A former Winestate Winemaker of the Year (2003) and Gourmet Traveller WINE finalist, Cliff is also a senior wine show judge across Australia and a respected voice in the industry.
His deep regional knowledge, honed through years at Voyager Estate and over a decade as Chair of the Margaret River Wine Association, has positioned him as a true leader of the region. Under Cliff’s guidance, Flametree continues to produce awardwinning wines that showcase the very best of Margaret River. His pursuit of excellence and innovation has earned him widespread recognition among critics, peers, and wine lovers alike.
Sub-Regions
Stretching 120 km along WA’s coast, the Margaret River region is famed for its gravelly soils and maritime climate, producing some of Australia’s finest grapes. Although it accounts for just 3% of national grape production, it delivers over 20% of Australia’s premium wines.
Red and white varieties are evenly represented, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, and Merlot all thriving here. Certain sub-regions excel with particular varieties.
In 1999, Dr John Gladstones identified six distinct sub-regions: Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe, Karridale.
At Flametree, we source the best fruit from these areas to craft our SRS (Sub-Regional Series) — small-batch wines showcasing the region’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Produced only in exceptional vintages, these wines are our most distinctive and limited releases.
