OUR TEAM

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 the 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, Madeleine and Samson? How could it not!

Andrea Perez Castillo, Winemaker

Andrea joined the Flat Rock Cellars team in 2023. Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Andrea’s love for wine began in the Parras Valley Coahuila Mexico where she spent her summers surrounded by the regions beautiful vineyards and visiting wineries with family. From that point onward, she has dedicated her life to wine.

Andrea attended the University of Zacatecas and became an Agronomic Engineer before achieving a Masters Degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain.

Her winemaking career has taken her around the world with stints in South Africa (Cederberg), Chile (Vina Ventisquero), New Zealand (Oyster Bay) and of course, her homeland of Mexico (Vinos Tierra Adentro & Casa Madero).

Andrea’s academic background and global experience will continue to push the wines of Flat Rock Cellars to new heights.

Andrea Perez Castillo can be contacted at winemaker@flatrockcellars.com.

Tracey de Loryn, Logistics Manager

A business graduate from Saint Francis Xavier University and a native of the East Coast, Tracey boarded a plane and headed to Tokyo, Japan upon graduation. It was her new home for the next four years and it was here that she met her Australian husband, Levi. The duo moved to Adelaide, Australia while Levi completed his Master’s in Oenology and it didn’t take long for Tracey to convert to a stage three wine geek.

After spending over two years in Australia, the couple ventured to Marlborough, New Zealand where Tracey finally experienced her first “hands on” harvest in the cellar of Wither Hills. And here…it didn’t take long for her to realize that while she did love wine, the “hands on” labour of love was not kind of love she was looking for. A changed role at Wither Hills allowed her to get back to what she’s best at: helping customers in her friendly fashion, keeping the team organized and tasting, not making, the wine.

After living internationally for over seven years, Tracey and her husband decided the wine region of Niagara was a good place to call home. Tracey joined our team in the fall of 2010 and now heads the logistical side of Flat Rock Cellars.

Jacob Glantz, Business Development Manager

Jacob graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Kinesiology and a career on the varsity volleyball team, but his experience in the food and beverage industry sparked his passion for wine!

After travelling around Europe (mainly hopping from one wine region to another), Jacob settled in Bordeaux and completed an MBA in Wine Marketing and Management from INSEEC. Jacob remained in St. Emilion to soak up the European lifestyle and work in private client relations at Chateau Tour St. Christophe, one of the six wineries belonging to Vignobles K. When it was time to come “home”, Jacob was eager to bring his enthusiasm and passion for wine to Flat Rock Cellars.

Jacob spent three years as the Hospitality & Trade Marketing Manager throwing parties and hosting tastings. He also developed our Club on the Rock into one of the most sought after wine clubs in the Niagara region before taking the reigns of the business.

Tate Medcalf, Senior Estate Host ~ Retail & Experience Supervisor

Tate has been part of the Rockstar team for four years and has made his mark here at Flat Rock Cellars! Tate has been studying wine since he joined the team and continues to excel in studies. From being the winery dad to the wine expert, we wouldn’t be the same without him. You’ll always get the best elevated experience when Tate is around. Don’t miss out on his amazing Backstage Tours or catch him rockin a tasting on our beautiful balcony with some of our Award-Winning wines.  Tate has also become an important part of the Flat Rock Community by starting a donation campaign to Feed Ontario. If you see a beautifully painted rock on your table or in our retail store, please make a cash donation and the rock is yours to take home. Tate continues to lead our Rockstar team as an amazing example while still excelling FRC customer experience.

Tate Medcalf can be contacted at retail@flatrockcellars.com.