Partners in wine - and in life

 

Leading Margaret River winemaker Janice McDonald has a new gig - working with her partner Stuart Pym at boutique producer Flowstone Wines. 

With 30 years experience in the wine industry, she was previously director of winemaking at Burch Family Wines, where she was responsible for the wines of Howard Park and MadFish for more than 10 years. 

Pym and McDonald have previously worked together in establishing the quirky Suckfizzle brand and Stella Bella Wines in 1999. 

Both were also key players in the establishment of Matilda Bay Brewing Co in the late 1980s before taking up winemaking roles at Voyager Estate and Devil's Lair. 

The proven partnership will continue to focus on small parcels from vineyards they manage and own. 

"We believe the vineyard creates our wines," says Pym. "Our role is to interpret and work in our vineyards using sustainable practices to maximise the vineyard's health, the well-being of the environment and the quality of each harvest. 

"We've both been making wine in Margaret River for over 30 years, and we acknowledge that vineyards and climate continue to evolve, which means there are always practices we can adopt to enhance the quality of the wines we produce."

McDonald said: "Stuart has achieved great things with Flowstone, and I'm looking forward to building on that success with him. Producing exceptional wine from the Margaret River region will always be at the heart of Flowstone and Flowstone Wines has had a sharp vision from the outset: small in quantity but big in impact." 

Flowstone started in 2013 when Pym, who had worked at Voyager Estate, Devil's Lair and Stella Bella, turned his hand to his own label. 

The focus will remains on chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon, along with experimental wines including a gewürtztraminer, touriga and shiraz/grenache.

For details see www.flowstonewines.com