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 Red
River Red 2008
A fresh and juicy red with delicious red and berry fruit flavours.
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- Van Loveren Whites
Sauvignon blanc 2009
This fruit driven sauvignon blanc delivers all the aromas of the varietal. Typical grassy in
character with fine green fruit, gooseberry nose and hints of melon and figs on palate. Robust in character with an elegance that lingers through to finish.“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
Chardonnay 2008
An attractive clean citrus nose with subtleties of smoky/nutty undertones follow through on the palate.
Special Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
A fine example of the varietals aromatics where the grapes are left longer on the vine to reach optimal ripeness, concentrating those explosive aromas of this varietal.
Gorgeous white, showing the spicy rose petal aromas and lychee flavours of the grape. Sweet, but beautifully balanced, this wine is never cloying.
The perfect wine for dessert or aperitif.
Available at:-
OLN (Patricia Langton)
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