Style: White Wine

Producer: Iona Wines

Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Where: Elgin, Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Taste: with lime and lemon undertones. Bright citrus, oyster shell minerality, and a hint of almonds and biscuit brioche on the finish. Beautiful floral notes and bright fresh acidity persist.

The Chardonnay is produced from 2 north-facing vineyards on the western boundary of the farm, both planted in 2003.

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At the Southern tip of Africa, along the Cape South Coast is South Africa’s coolest climate wine region, Elgin Valley. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at an altitude of 420m along the Southern ridge lies the unique Iona vineyards. Surrounded by 3000 ha of the UNESCO certified Kogelberg Biosphere, which contains 1600 plant species, making it the most florally diverse region of the planet, per unit area. A unique phenomenon happens at Iona. The combination of the short distance from the freezing Atlantic Ocean and the rapid increase in altitude causes the prevailing summer South East wind to roll across the vines, forming misty clouds that blanket the farm on warm days. This protects the grapes from the African sun – allowing filtered sunlight into the canopy – resulting in SLOW ripening with perfect acidity, moderate alcohol and beautifully developed flavours. Iona is situated on the last remaining portion of an ancient river valley formed during the post-glacial geomorphic activity. The soils are essentially gravel beds derived from decomposed Table Mountain sandstone, sedimentary deposits and quartzites. The soil provides the opportunity for the vines to penetrate the deep clay underlay providing moisture and eliminating water stress. Composting, physical weed removal, use of beneficial insects and bacteria, raptor poles, vine collars, cover crops between the rows and ground covers below the vines are some of the SUSTAINABLE TECHNIQUES WE EMPLOY AT IONA.