Flametree

History

Flametree was established in the mid-2000s by the Towner family, who came to wine relatively late compared to Margaret River's founding generation. The winery sits within an appellation that had already defined itself through Cabernet and Chardonnay, and Flametree's founding proposition was to work seriously within those established strengths rather than against them. The operation grew steadily through the back half of the 2000s and into the 2010s, building a reputation primarily on white wines made from fruit sourced across Margaret River's southern reaches. The producer has remained family-controlled and mid-sized, without the corporate consolidation that has absorbed several of its neighbours.

Vineyards

Flametree draws fruit from multiple sub-regions within Margaret River, with its SRS (Single Region Specific) range representing the most geographically focused wines in the portfolio. Karridale, in the far south of the appellation, is one of the coolest growing areas in Margaret River, benefiting from proximity to the Southern Ocean and the moderating influence of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. The result is a longer growing season and higher natural acidity in the finished wines. Wallcliffe, somewhat further north and closer to Cape Leeuwin, sits on gravelly loams over laterite and clay, a soil profile common to the better Chardonnay sites in the region. Specific farming certifications for Flametree's vineyard sources are not well documented in the public record.

Winemaking

Flametree's winemaking has been anchored by Cliff Royle for much of the producer's history, though specific current personnel details should be verified independently. The SRS Chardonnay from Wallcliffe follows a fairly classic Margaret River approach: barrel fermentation, some portion of new French oak, and extended lees contact to build texture without obscuring the site's natural line. The SRS Karridale Sauvignon Blanc is handled more reductively, with cool fermentation to preserve aromatic precision. The broader Embers range sits below the SRS tier and is designed for earlier drinking, drawing on fruit from across the appellation rather than a single sub-region.