Pinot Noir Iona, Elgin Highlands 2024

Andrew Gunn, Elgin Highlands 

At 420m above sea level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Andrew Gunn founded Iona among some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape.

In a country where cool-climate vineyards are like gold dust, these vineyards are veritable nuggets. The growing season is extremely long, harvesting up to 2 months after Stellenbosch, which allows Andrew to create wines with complex flavours and a fresh, elegant style. The viticultural approach is emphatically hands-off: the land is farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, with particular focus on ensuring the health of the soil, and pests are kept under control by the resident flock of geese that roam the vineyards.

The Fynbos vineyard has well drained soils that are rich in clay with north facing slopes result in a rich, gorgeous, fleshy, generous wine.The grapes were selected form a single north-facing vineyard on the eastern side of the farm with a north-south row direction. Vines were planted in 2003 on predominantly decomposed sandstone with underlying clay.

Black and red cherries, strawberries and underlying spice notes. The palate is textured, succulent and complex, with a long savoury finish. Vibrant acidity and fine grained chalky tannins make this a powerful and exceptional age worthy wine. This is classic, focussed Pinot Noir.

Grapes: 100% Pinot noir

Organic