Happy birthday van Loveren

28 Oct 2010

Wynand and Nico Retief founded the Van Loveren trademark on 23 October 1980 with only 500 cases of Premier Grand Cru. Since then, the size of the company's brands has increased to over one million cases per annum, offering an extensive range of wines, renowned for their widespread availability, consistency and quality.

From left to right: Wynand Retief, Neil Retief, Phillip Retief, Bussell Retief, Hennie Retief and Nico Retief.

Reportedly the largest family owned wine cellar in South Africa, Hennie Retief (their father) purchased the original Van Loveren farm in 1937 and built the cellar in 1963, but it was only in 1980 that wines were first made under the Van Loveren label.

"We have been extremely fortunate over the past 30 years, that during all the highs and lows within the SA wine industry, the relatively small production unit and winery of the 80s has become a successful trademark company," says CEO Phillip Retief.

The impressive vineyards.

Today, Nico and Wynand's sons - the eponymous four cousins from which their most popular range takes its name - head up operations: Hennie and Neil are viticulturists, Bussell heads up winemaking and Phillip takes care of the business. The Four Cousins brand celebrates 10 years this year.

Relaunch honours family

Winemaker, Bussell Retief.

The Wolverine Creek range of wines has been re-born as the flagship brand, Christina van Loveren, named after a family forebear who arrived in the Cape of Good Hope in 1699. Crafted by winemaker Danelle van Rensburg, this limited production range comprises a Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Noble Late Harvest, as well as two new inclusions - a Méthode Cap Classique and Sauvignon Blanc. Refining the concept of a "winery-within-a-winery", the wines are each made from single-block vineyards and are released in numbered bottles.

"For some time we have wanted to link a range to Christina van Loveren and with the level of quality being achieved by the wines, it made sense to do it now in our 30th anniversary year," adds Philip. "The name accentuates our strong familial ties and the farm's rich heritage."