Lomond wine estate has begun an exciting new chapter with the release of its first Pinot noir. The Lomond Pinot Noir 2012 joins an exceptional portfolio in the Lomond stable that showcases subtle artistry in the cellar as well as the Cape Agulhas region’s diverse soils and cool maritime climate.

More than anything, the Lomond Pinot Noir 2012 tells the story of Lomond’s specific sense of place, the southernmost tip of Africa. The wine is bright red in colour with strawberry edges. On the nose, there’s bold fruit expression, with cherries and ripe strawberries, rose petals and a hint of cinnamon spice. Silky smooth tannins ensure a well-rounded finish with a lingering aftertaste.

“It’s an interesting wine that has captured the imagination of everyone who has tasted it,” says Lomond winemaker Kobus Gerber.

The decision to plant Pinot noir at Lomond was made in 2008. The conditions and terroir of the Cape Agulhas region are very conducive to producing an interesting Pinot noir wine, due to the cool climate and longer period that grapes are left on the vine.

“Pinot noir is known as a cooler climate varietal and so the older more established plantings have been in the Hemel en Aarde Valley, and more recently the plantings have expanded into the newer, cooler production areas like Elgin and Elim (Cape Agulhas),” says Gerber.

Situated in the Uilenkraal River Valley, Lomond is one of only a handful of producers permitted to carry the Cape Agulhas appellation on its labels. The grapes from which Lomond’s first Pinot noir was made were hand selected from a 3,59ha vineyard situated 7km from the ocean.

“At this volume, making the wine was challenging. I was intent on protecting the fruit as a way of producing a wine that would stand out,” says Gerber, whose Pinot noir experience includes working with the famed producer Henri Bourgeois of Sancerre, France. “The result is typical of the Burgundian style – there’s fruit and finesse.”

The Lomond Pinot Noir 2012 represents the start of the Pinot noir journey for Lomond, and both the winemaking and viticultural teams believe there is potential for considerable development of the varietal within its niche. Lomond enjoys the benefits of 18 different soil types, varied topography from 30-250m above sea-level, southern facing slopes and an influence of ocean breezes which add complexity to the development of particularly the Pinot noir wines.

These same conditions have seen Lomond’s wines enjoy widespread acclaim. Last year alone, the Lomond 2011 Cat’s Tail Syrah was awarded a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London while the 2012 vintage of Lomond Sauvignon Blanc received a gold medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon. Lomond wines took three Gold medals at Veritas 2013 too.

The achievements speak of skilled winemaking and viticultural practises as well as a respect for the land. Lomond is a member of both the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI), which rewards producers for sustainable wine-growing practices.

The wine is priced at around R115 per bottle and is available at leading wine retailers countrywide.