COLOUR
White
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2024
GRAPE
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
PRODUCER
Iona Wines
REGION
Western Cape
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Iona Vineyards was established in 1997 by Andrew Gunn, who discovered a remote, run-down apple farm on a high-altitude mountain plateau in the Elgin Highlands. Named after the isolated Scottish island of Iona to honor Gunn's heritage, the estate is situated 420 to 450 meters above sea level, making it South Africa's coolest winegrowing region. Co-managed by Andrew and his artist wife, Rozy, with winemaking led by Werner Muller and assistant winemaker Nik Siimes, the estate operates under a philosophy of minimal intervention, acting as custodians of the unique cool-climate fruit.
ALCOHOL
13.3%
AVG. PRICE
€25
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
10-12°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Iona is located on a high-altitude mountain plateau 420-450 meters above sea level, making it South Africa's coolest winegrowing region.
Fact 02
Pests in the vineyards are managed entirely naturally using a resident flock of geese.
Fact 03
The estate was founded by a mining engineer who searched 40 properties before finding this remote, run-down apple farm.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes are hand-picked in the early morning and whole-bunch pressed. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using 100% indigenous wild yeasts in large wood formats at temperatures between 18–22°C. The Sémillon portion is fermented in seasoned 500L French oak barrels to build mid-palate structure. The wine is aged for 11 months on the primary lees in seasoned, older French oak barrels (2nd, 3rd, and 4th fill) to prevent dominant oak flavors. It is then racked, blended, and kept for an additional 3 months in stainless steel tanks for natural clarification before bottling.
