Achievement reflects renewed focus on terroir selection and quality driven vineyard practices. Van Loveren Family Vineyards has bowled over the judges at South Africa’s National Wine Challenge/Top 100 SA, emerging as one of this year’s most successful performers. The results of this esteemed competition were announced this week.
No less than 10 of the family-owned producer’s wines were among the top echelon of winners, one of them also claiming the title of Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class.
“Full credit for this achievement must go to the vineyard and winemaking teams,” says Van Loveren Phillip Retief. “It is wonderful to see changes made in the Van Loveren vineyards play out in results like these.”
“The awards attest to a continued commitment to making quality wines that surpass consumers’ high expectation. That these come just weeks after the launch of Van Loveren’s new packaging, as part of our 40-year brand celebration, lends even more significance to the occasion,” he says.
Topping the list of awards as Best in Class Champion was the Retief Reserve Cape Blend White 2019, a Chenin Blanc-dominated wine that was blended with Colombar and Chardonnay. It shows gentle aromas of honeysuckle, lemon peel and guava followed on the palate by soft citrus fruit, honeydew melon, crisp apple and a long, elegant finish. It is anticipated to continue to develop in bottle to about eight years from vintage.
Equally prominent for the team was Van Loveren’s taking tied position for the biggest haul of Double Platinum/Top 100 accolades this year. There were five of its wines in this category:
- Retief Reserve Cape Blend White 2019;
- Christina Cabernet Sauvignon 2019;
- Christina Chardonnay 2020;
- Christina Methode Cap Classique Brut Rose 2018; and,
- Retief Reserve Cape Blend Red 2019.
It’s Double Gold stars comprised the: - Christina Syrah 2018;
- Christina Cap Classique Brut NV;
- Zandvliet Chardonnay 2020; and,
- Kalkveld Shiraz 2017.
These winning wines are available at fine wine stores as well as online at www.vanloveren.co.za. They may also be sampled at the home of Van Loveren, situated in the Robertson Valley.
Categories: Van Loveren Family Vineyards