Wine Maker: Andrew Gunn
Grape Variety: Shiraz
The wines of Iona come from a dramatically unique site in the Cape Winelands. The vineyards are on a mountain plateau 420 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In a country where cool sites are precious, these vineyards are like gold – the grapes ripening up to two months later than other Cape vineyards and in perfect balance. Iona is said to be one of South Africa's coolest vineyard sites.
Andrew Gunn and family acquired this beautiful, but run-down apple farm in 1997. It was renamed "IONA" after the remote, spiritual island off the west coast of Scotland. “We Gunns can trace our ancestry to the Vikings that landed in Scotland in the 900s, hence the Viking longboat emblem on our labels”. Since the first release in 2001, the wines of Iona have quickly made a name as being among the finest in the world. The Sauvignon Blanc has received massive critical acclaim from all the major wine commentators – now the reds are receiving the same attention.
The Vineyard
Iona is said to be one of South Africa's coolest vineyards. Their first vineyards were planted in 1998, and research confirmed that with harvesting times up to 8 weeks later than other Cape wine producing areas, Iona was unique.
It has been called the one piece of South African land resembling Bordeaux, but with the advantage over Bordeaux of 50% less rain in the harvesting months, a slightly warmer April (equal to October in Bordeaux) and an average growing season temperature of 17,5°C. This cool climate ensures long, slow ripening of the grapes under ideal growing conditions, with the sugar, pH, acid and flavour compounds in balance to produce elegant and refined wines.
Iona Shiraz
Iona's Shiraz is produced in very small quantities at this stage (120 cases) quantities and the cool climate results in wines that are Northern Rhone in style showing white pepper, savoury and red fruit notes. It has immense poise and presence in the mouth, but is never overwhelming. Firm and very refreshing it will suit carpaccio and anti-pasti, as well as a tomato-based pasta; or try with barbequed meats.
The Shiraz at the vineyard came about by accident, as Gunn explains; “The Shiraz on Iona started as a nursery error ... When we planted our Cabernet Sauvignon, unknown to us (and hopefully the nursery!), we were supplied with approximately 600 Shiraz vines. This was only discovered when we were ready to harvest our first Cabernet Sauvignon and we found grapes interspersed in the vineyard that were not quite ready. They were identified as Shiraz and left to ripen and were harvested in early May 2004. The quality was outstanding and as a result we planted another 4ha which will come into production in 2007”.
“ It’s rare to find such balanced wines in these warmer climes. ” ANDREW JEFFORD