“The story of Idun is about more than a passion for winemaking and a journey of discovering the Elgin Valley. Idun is inextricably woven into the story of our family,” says founder Albert Rousset.
Idun Wines was born when the family travelled to the southwest coast of South Africa to scout out a special needs school for their son Leo. On their visit, they passed through the fruitful Elgin Valley, which is as famous for its outstanding wines as it is for its delicious apples. The Rousset family was captivated by the quality and potential of South African wines, and local winemaker Paul Wallace inspired them to embark on a journey in pursuit of creating truly exceptional wines that embody their journey as a family.
The name Idun came naturally, as she is the Norse goddess of eternal life, fertility and apples. Idun brings the hope of new beginnings and the chance to create something to cherish today and for generations to come.
This captivating, fertile valley’s agricultural potential was unlocked with the arrival of the first European settlers in the 1800s. One of the earliest farms, Grietjiesgat, later developed into the village of Grabouw, which today sits in the heart of Elgin.
The valley’s wines are truly something else. They’re made from grapes that ripen slowly because of Elgin’s fertile soil, location some 350 m above sea level and cool Mediterranean climate. The result is world-famous ‘cool climate’ wines that are delicate, elegant and age beautifully due to their higher acidity.