At the Southerly point of Africa, along the Cape South Coast is the coolest wine region, Elgin. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at an altitude of 450m along the Southern ridge lies the unique Iona vineyards surrounded by the Unesco certified Kogelberg Biosphere.
IONA HAS THE HIGHEST WINERY IN ELGIN AND THE COOLEST GROWING SEASON VINEYARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
THE IONA PHENOMENON – REMOTE, ISOLATED & COLD
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.
THE IONA FARMING PHILOSOPHY
We own and farm all our vineyards as we believe GREAT WINES are grown in the vineyard. 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.
THE IONA FAMILY
People are an integral part of our success. We have 20 families living on the farm with up to 35 years of service. All vineyard practices are done by hand. WORKERS ARE SHAREHOLDERS and receive pension funds, education and social support. WE WOULD RATHER EMPLOY PEOPLE THAN MACHINES.
