Iona, Solace, Brocha Vineyard, Elgin, South Africa, 2021

Producer Profile

The stony, north facing slopes in the cool Elgin district provide the warmth and aridness to grow and ripen grapes authentically and sustainably.

Small is beautiful, natural is best. Brocha Vineyards is home to 10 hectares of vineyards which produce One Man Band and Solace, a 15-hectare conservation area of fynbos, and 5 hectares dedicated to pastures for a small herd of Nguni cattle. This division of land is in keeping with Rozy Gunn's philosophy that a farm gives due recognition to the critical relationship between formal agriculture, natural vegetation, and animals to function as a healthy and independent farm organism.

Viticulture

From a single biodynamically farmed vineyard site on Brocha soils, planted with two different Syrah clones. A south facing aspect.

Winemaking

Hand picked and de-stemmed before crushing. No sulphur additions at crushing. A natural fermentation with 2 punch downs a day. Grapes spend 21 days on the skins before being pressed and racked into 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill 500 litre French oak barrels.

Oak Ageing

Time: 16 Months
Type: 500 litre French Oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 10

Tasting Note

Red berry fruit, full of spice, white pepper and floral notes. Supple, intense palate with fine tannin matched by plenty of fruit.

Food Matching

Braised lamb and blue cheese, pecorino with rosemary and sundried tomato gremolada.