Van Loveren Winery
 | History Van Loveren has been in the Retief family for over three generations. The family moved to the Robertson valley (about 100 miles east of Cape Town) and purchased the land in 1937, naming the farm after an ancestor who had arrived in the Cape back in 1692. The size of the farm has gradually increased over the years, and is now a 200 hectare estate, with one of the most modern cellars in the Robertson area, producing a wide variety of white, red and sparkling wines. Viticulture & Vinification Situated alongside the Breede River, the vineyards have the benefit of a unique soil type, with its high limestone and chalk content, which makes the Robertson area ideal for the production of noble white varietals. The climate is consistent, with hot days, cool nights, and low annual rainfall, so the vines receive drip irrigation, supplied from the Breede River. |
All the family are involved in the business, with the younger generation of Hennie, Bussell, Phillip and Neil now taking over the viticultural, winemaking and marketing roles. Having been predominantly white wine producers throughout the 1980s, the Retiefs started planting more red varietals from 1992 onwards, and recently the farm has expanded further, with another 50 hectares of new plantings, again all red varietals
2007 brought with it a host of awards
To find out more about Van Loveren winery visit their website at http://www.vanloveren.co.za/
Wines
- Van Loveren Blanc de Noir Rosé
'Made from the Muscat de Frontignan variety, this pretty peach coloured wine is grape scented with ripe fruit, floral flavours and soft acidity,'KITTY JOHNSON - THE EXPRESS ON SUNDAY.
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- Van Loveren Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz
A lightly oaked wine with smoky, raspberry Shiraz character and the ripe soft fruitiness that is the hallmark of the Van Loveren reds.
''Whiff..of.. smoked beef; tangy, savoury flavours...'' *** JOHN PLATTER WINE GUIDE 2005
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- Van Loveren Chardonnay
A smooth dry white with fresh, attractive citrus and melon fruits with hints of pineapple and peach. Well balanced and delicious with lightl grilled fish
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- Van Loveren Colombar
A fresh a fruity dry white with crisp melon fruit and and soft smooth finish
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- Van Loveren Colombar / Chardonnay
This lightly oaked 50/50 blend has lots of ripe aromatic, floral fruit, balanced by fresh acidity. Ideally suited for rich fish dishes.
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- Van Loveren Gewürztraminer Special Late Harvest
Gorgeous white, showing the spicy rose petal aromas and lychee flavours of the grape. Sweet, but beautifully balanced, this wine is never cloying.
''Delicate rose-petal bouquet starting to bloom. Fresh, with delicate sweetness; elegant, lovely acid balance'' *** Platter 2005
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- VAn Loveren Light White
A delightfully refresing white, lower in alcohol to give an elegantly delcaed balance. Ideal lunchtime white
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- Van Loveren Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium to full bodied, deeply fruity red with ripe tannins and beautifully integrated oak.
*** JOHN PLATTER WINE GUIDE 2005
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- Van Loveren Limited Release Shiraz
Full bodied complex red wine with rich berry fruit flavours, savoury spicy notes and a touch of smokey oak.
''Serious example from single vineyard'' ***/* JOHN PLATTER WINE GUIDE 2005
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- Van Loveren River Red
A fresh and juicy red with delicious red and berry fruit flavours
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- Van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc
“Van Loveren's refreshing, juicy (Sauvignon)... machine harvested at dawn, is choc-a-block with flavour and weighs in halfway between a Kiwi and an Aussie Sauvignon, with the bright, floral, herby, gooseberry fruit of New Zealand and the guts and tropical fruit charge of a top Australian on the finish." JANE MACQUITTY - TOP 100 WINTER WINES, THE TIMES
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OLN (Patricia Langton)
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- Van Loveren Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Rich, ripe Cabernet with smooth cassis and cederwood, hints of bramble and a satifyingly firm structure with well integrated tannins. Smooth and long.
2004 won Bronze at 2006 Decanter World wine Awards
- Van Loveren Signature Series Chardonnay Reserve
Smooth peachy Chardonnay with soft melon and hints of pineapple laced with gentle oak
2005 Vintage won BRONZE at Decanter 2006 World Wine Awards