2023 Iona Highlands Chardonnay

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

Chardonnay is produced from two north-facing vineyards on the western boundary, both planted in 2003. The cool climate ensures long, slow ripening of the grapes under ideal growing conditions, with the sugar, ph, acids, tannins and flavour compounds being in perfect balance to produce elegant, lower alcohol wines of distinction. The grapes are hand-picked before being whole bunch pressed. No settling enzymes were used, resulting in juice containing more solids. This wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of 300L and 228L French oak barrels (20% new, the rest in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels).

Tasting note: Stylish and Burgundian with bright citrus, white stone fruit, oyster shell minerality and a hint of brioche. Purity of fruit combined with well-judged oak and fresh acidity result a wine that is complex with a lingering finish.

Food match: Lobster or fish in a cream sauce.