Lomond Wine Estate is a joint venture between Lomond Properties (Shareholders Wayne Gabb and Dave Mostert) and Distell Corporation (Pty) Ltd the largest drinks company in South Africa. A shareholding for a Farm Workers Community Trust is further being established.

The farms that make up Lomond Wine Estate were originally purchased in 1999, and the first vines were planted in 2000. Currently 120 hectares of vineyard have been developed. The first Lomond wines were released in 2005.

All the vineyards are farmed according to the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) set of eco- sustainable principles. Lomond is also a member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, in recognition of its efforts to rehabilitate indigenous habitat on the farm. The property covers 1 100 hectares with 350 hectares allocated for cultivation to vine. The Lomond dam a central focal point of the farm has a surface area of 110 hectares.with the remainder of the farm being set aside for conservation. The farm employs pressure-compensated drip irrigation in the vineyards with scheduling planned according to soil type and moisture levels, resulting in considerable water savings.

Organic interventions are applied to fertilise the soils and to address pests and fungi. Straw mulching under the vines reduces weed populations, while winter cover crops between the vine rows enhance organic matter in the soil, reduce erosion and provide a suitable habitat for the development of natural insect predators. The farm also follows a programme of integrated pest management. Predators released in a special predator release programme, as well as naturally prevalent predators like guinea fowl and hadeda eat many of the problem insects on the farm. Perches have also been established for peregrine falcons and steppe buzzards that feed on grape-eating birds such as starlings.

Maintaining Healthy Riparian Buffers and Releasing Water for the wider community
Working together with Cape Nature and the Department of Water Affairs and after conducting an intense Environmental Impact assessment of the riverine system, Lomond was able to restore the natural flow of the Uilenskraal River running through the farm that had been previously choked up with alien vegetation. Not only was the riparian environment rehabilitated, increasing the sustainable breeding of invertebrates, but water from the river that previously ran into the sea has been directed into a 6 million cubic metre dam, established on the farm. The dam serves the irrigation needs of the farm as well as the local communities of De Kelders and Gansbaai via the local councils water purification works.

Lomond is a member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, please visit the site www.fynbos.co.za for further information surrounding the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the Worlds six floral kingdoms but home to the most indiginous plant species, found anywhere in the World.

Certificates

BWI Certificate

IPW Certificate

Walkerbay Conservancy Membership