Cliff Royle

The Path

Cliff Royle’s career shows the kind of steady progression that makes sense in Margaret River: regionally rooted, methodical, and built through increasing control of the work. Charles Sturt University gave him the formal base, then a first step in wine retail at Wine retail put him close to how wine is selected, discussed, and judged before he moved into production. From there, Royle took on winemaking at Voyager Estate in Margaret River, then expanded into winemaker and winery manager at Flametree Wines in Margaret River until 2026. The arc is familiar to the trade: first learn the market, then make the wine, then carry responsibility for the cellar as a whole.

The Work Today

Margaret River winemaking is the work most associated with Royle, and Chardonnay is his stated specialty. That pairing fits a region where precision, balance, and varietal clarity matter as much as fruit. Royle describes Margaret River in direct terms: “I think Margaret River is without a doubt the number one premium wine region in the country and consistently produces benchmark wines made from the classic grape varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.” In his hands, Chardonnay is a variety that asks for restraint, attention to detail, and an ability to keep texture, fruit, and structure in balance.

Signature

Cliff's signature wines include Flametree Chardonnay 2024, Flametree SRS Wallcliffe Chardonnay 2023, and Flametree SRS 2018 Chardonnay. Read together, they point to a style carried through Flametree Wines: Chardonnay-led, site-conscious, and disciplined enough to hold consistency across vintages.

In Their Words “I think Margaret River is without a doubt the number one premium wine region in the country and consistently produces benchmark wines made from the classic grape varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.”

Acclaim

Royle’s recognition sits in the named roles he held and the focus he maintained: formal study at Charles Sturt University, early work in wine retail, and extended responsibility in Margaret River. The centre of that record is his 1997 to 2009 run as Chief Winemaker at Voyager Estate, followed by his winery management role at Flametree Wines.