Iona is a family-owned wine estate located high above the Elgin Valley in the Cape South Coast of South Africa, renowned for being one of the coolest vineyard sites in the country. The farm sits on a plateau about 420 m above sea level with close proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, a unique combination that produces slow ripening, outstanding acidity and pronounced flavour development in the grapes.
The estate was founded in 1997 when founder Andrew Gunn acquired a rundown apple farm and replanted it with vineyards. The name and emblem come from his family’s heritage in Scotland where the Gunn clan was founded by Vikings in 1400s. Iona was the island in Scotland where the Vikings first raided 1000 years ago.
Iona produces a focused but highly regarded range of wines that reflect the distinct cool-climate terroir of the Elgin and in particular the Highlands where the farm is situated. Iona’s wines show beautiful purity of fruit, minerality and have perfectly balanced natural acidity and structure. Their wines have been internationally recognised and notably their Chardonnay was Platter’s Chardonnay of the year in 2025.