IN PHOTOS : Pioneers Wine Club toasts 2026 with a cool-climate masterclass in Hazyview
The members of the The Pioneers Wine Club had an opportunity to test various wines from Iona Wines.
The Pioneers Wine Club officially kicked off its 2026 calendar on February 6, hosting its first tasting of the year at the Little Pilgrim Boutique Hotel.
What began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has blossomed into a premier social fixture in Hazyview, now boasting over 50 members and a reputation for excellence.
Founded in 2022 by the Fick family, long-standing pillars of the Hazyview community, the club has quickly become a vital platform for South African wineries to showcase their craft to an audience that is as enthusiastic as it is curious.
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For the season opener, the club welcomed Rob MacDonald of Iona Wines and Kim Drake of Sip Savvy.
Iona is celebrated as one of the coolest vineyard sites in South Africa, situated on a plateau 420m above sea level.
This geographic “sweet spot” near the Atlantic Ocean results in slow-ripening grapes with exceptional acidity, a quality that was evident in every glass poured.
The evening’s featured lineup included The Sophie Range, known for its fresh, approachable charm, Mr P Knows Pinot Noir, a standout for its elegance and structure, Badbay Chardonnay, a sophisticated expression of the estate’s cool-climate fruit, and Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc, the highly acclaimed flagship reflecting pure terroir.
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The prestige of the estate was a hot topic of conversation, particularly its recent accolade, the Iona Chardonnay was named Platter’s Chardonnay of the Year in 2025.
The tasting was culminated in a dinner prepared by Chef Uwe Weidenmann.
His dishes provided the perfect foil for Iona’s mineral-driven wines, adding a layer of indulgence to an already sophisticated evening.
The momentum doesn’t stop here. For those looking to keep the “Sip Savvy” spirit alive, the next opportunity to experience these exceptional wines is just around the corner.
The club hosted another wine testing on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at Gin & Co in Hazyview – a romantic evening of cheese and wine, featuring favorites like Sophie Le Rosé.
The Pioneers Wine Club continues to prove that for lovers of fine wine and great company, Hazyview is firmly on the map.
