Lomond Wines 'Pincushion' Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Agulhas 2022

The Lomond estate is surrounded by indigenous flora known as Fynbos. This single vineyard wine is named after a vulnerable listed species endemic to the Agulhas Region, ‘Leucospermum Patersonii’ or the ‘Silver-Edged Pincushion’. This site was purposely chosen for its specific terroir consisting primarily of sandy loam soils, which offer good drainage, but poor fertility and produce concentrated, aromatic fruit. This is one of the highest vineyards on the farm situated on the south east facing slopes of Ben Lomond, which ensures that the vineyard is cooled by the prevailing summer winds off of the sea. The breezes blow directly off the ocean in both a south easterly and south westerly direction, providing consistent coolness throughout the summer months, with temperatures seldom reaching above 30°C. This cool microclimate creates a slow ripening period, allowing the grapes to build flavour complexity and to produce naturally balanced wines.

The grapes were harvested by hand at 22.5˚ to 24.5˚ Balling, when they had reached phenolic ripeness and were vinified reductively, which reduces the amount of oxygen the fruit has exposure to and helps to preserve fresh, fruity and vibrant notes. The juice was cool fermented at 13˚to 15˚C to preserve the natural Sauvignon Blanc flavours. The wine was left on the lees for eight weeks to impart texture and complexity.