The People
Ed Madronich Sr. - Founder Flat Rock Cellars is solely owned and operated by its founder - Ed Madronich. Born and raised in the area, the winery is the fulfillment of a dream shared by his father and son. In 1954, his father applied for a winery license, but was denied. More recently, his son, also Ed Madronich, established his career in the wine business and shared a passion for wine. Combined, father and son, have worked together to create Flat Rock Cellars.
Ed Madronich – President
Ed credits a summer in France and exposure to a few choice bottles of wine for his passion. Since that first foray into the vines, he knew that he wanted to make great wines. Running Inniskillin for several years helped him to define his approach to wine: one that both reflects and challenges conventional wisdom.
His easy hospitality and devilish sense of humor is juxtaposed with a more serious sensibility when making wine. Ed believes that the Twenty Valley has the potential to produce some of the best wines in the world. He also is firm in his conviction that Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling are the ideal grapes for Flat Rock’s vineyards. Using estate grown grapes and the most advanced wine making techniques, Ed and his team work tirelessly to produce wines that reflect the soils and climate from which they originate.
His passion is infectious, and his determination to share the mysteries of the vine is a bonus for the rest of us. The big question is, will his passion rub off on the future wine lovers he goes home to at night, Madeleine and Samson? How could it not!
Marlize Beyers - Winemaker
Growing up on a farm in South Africa it was clear early on that Marlize wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps and work in agriculture. In her mid-teens this love of working the earth began to manifest itself in a love for winemaking.
Marlize has worked on vintages in some of the world’s finest wine regions, including Bordeaux, South Africa and Germany. While an assistant winemaker at Flagstone Winery in Somerset, South Africa, her efforts were first recognized. Marlize was named a finalist for the Diners Club South African Young Winemaker of the Year Award in 2004.
The following year, Marlize made the long voyage to the New World, bringing the benefits of her diverse experience and well-rounded knowledge to the Flat Rock team. Don’t let her soft-spoken nature confuse you, she’s a dynamic winemaker that pulls out all the stops in order to allow a wine to reach its maximum potential.
Jillian Nero – Marketing and Sales Manager
Jillian’s passion for wine began while at Brock University in Niagara, where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and participated in the university’s co-op program at Peller Estates winery (Andres Wines) working in Corporate Sales and Events planning.
Deciding to kick it up a notch, Jillian moved to Dijon, France and continued to explore the world of wine while completing her university studies. Upon her return, Jillian thrived at Vincor as Assistant Brand Manager for Inniskillin Wines where she developed successful marketing and promotional programs for her brands.
Her solid background in the industry, creativity and quick sense of humour helps keep everyone on their toes and ensures that Flat Rock maintains its focus on interactive and personal experiences that will keep you coming back for more.
