We were beginning to run out of steam, but were determined to get to the last farm on our list, one we put high on the list of essential places to visit in Elgin; Iona, 420m high on its ridge at the other end of the valley from the N2, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
The 2016 Solace Syrah has perfume, toast and spice with dark berry fruit on the nose. Black plum fruit with cassis and black pepper; exciting to see this age. The 2015 Pinot Noir has smoky wood
and pretty rose petals on the nose. Raspberry fruit with long elegant flavours and a touch of liquorice on the end. They say comparisons are odious, but we found that the lovely 2013 One Man Band, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Mourvedre and Viognier. rather reminded us of Full Stop Rock from Newton Johnson, despite having completely different grapes. It's a big, bold wine. It has a complex nose of all the varietals, with violets, cassis, pepper and peach notes. Bright sweet berry fruit, a lovely melange; also with liquorice notes, chewy tannins, a seriously good wine, with a little fun added
People were enjoying the wine in the garden in the late afternoon, while the chickens pecked the ground around them
At one point, we thought we had a layer!
In the tasting room with the Cellarmaster, Werner Muller, tasting the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Classic Iona Sauvignon, full of green pepper, granadilla, long complex flavours and crispness
A tasting room or a garage. Andrew Gunn's latest acquisition: an immaculate 1958 Austin-Healey 100-6,
accompanied by his first car, a Porsche 356, also in immaculate condition
Lots of car envy from the visitors. He also keeps his Porsche in the tasting room
Not on view is his new Porsche 911 GT3, the ultimate performance car
Cellarmaster Werner Muller in conversation with Manny of Manny's Kitchen in Bot River
Manny's lads were serving prego rolls, calamari and huge prawns
good prices too
Next, the 2017 Chardonnay with its nice hint of wood, mellow yellow fruits, a zing of citrus acidity, peach and pear
and a finish of more lime and lemon. This has just enough soft, dusty chalk
Andrew Gunn brought out a special treat, an Iona 2006 Sauvignon blanc....
We were bowled over by how well this has lasted on both the nose and palate
It has almost a semillon note, a tiny spritzy tingle with figs; fig leaves on the nose and palate and was amazingly long and crisp
and pretty rose petals on the nose. Raspberry fruit with long elegant flavours and a touch of liquorice on the end. They say comparisons are odious, but we found that the lovely 2013 One Man Band, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Mourvedre and Viognier. rather reminded us of Full Stop Rock from Newton Johnson, despite having completely different grapes. It's a big, bold wine. It has a complex nose of all the varietals, with violets, cassis, pepper and peach notes. Bright sweet berry fruit, a lovely melange; also with liquorice notes, chewy tannins, a seriously good wine, with a little fun added
Andrew, very kindly, fetched another, older, wine for us to taste, the 2004 Iona Merlot Cabernet. So many spoils in one day!
Brick edges, there is good fruit on the nose with incense wood
Velvety on the palate, great fruit, black and red currants and cherries, nice chalky tannins; this has lasted well
There is a touch of salt on the end
The back label of the bottle
Rozie Gunn with Solace, the Shiraz grown on her property in the valley
We were treated to some of these gigantic prawns. So special with that Chardonnay
General Manager Brad Gold's gorgeous son chewing, as you do in Elgin, on an Apple..... He is teething. Tooth no. 2
There is an amazing view from the top of the ridge over the Elgin valley
and this was what it looked like, late afternoon as we headed home
A close up of golden vines, with at least 8 ridges of mountain tops in the misty haze
A picture we would love on our wall at home. Dreamy autumn afternoon after a lovely weekend festival
Thank you to all at Iona and everyone in Elgin who showed us such kindness in your wonderful valley..
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
Brad Gold's gorgeous son chewing, as you do in Elgin, on an Apple..... He is teething. Tooth no. 2.
There is an amazing view from the top of the ridge over the Elgin valley and this was what it looked like late afternoon as we headed home.
A close up of golden vines, with at least 8 ridges or mountain tops in the misty haze. A picture we would love on our wall at home. Dreamy autumn afternoon after a lovely weekend festival. Thank you all at Iona and all in Elgin who showed us such kindness in your wonderful valley..
