Van Loveren & Blaauwklippen partnership: A boost for SA wine

The iconic wine estate and lifestyle destination Blaauwklippen and leading family business Van Loveren Vineyards are tying the knot through a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing their premium offerings to the local market and specifically to accelerate fine South African wine offerings to the world market.

In what is described as a three-way winner – both for the partners and the country’s wine industry at large – the partnership is focussed on the production and distribution of their wine portfolios.

Through increased premiumisation and a “best-of-strength-strategy”, the partners will seek to unlock and enhance new opportunities for the Blaauwklippen wine portfolio.

Founded in 1682, the Blaauwklippen Wine Estate is the oldest wine farm in Stellenbosch. Van Loveren – a third-generation family business in the Robertson valley – is one of Africa’s leading family-owned private wine businesses.

The partners will expand vineyards, increase production capacity, and introduce new products to their premium portfolios.

Blaauwklippen is located at the foothills of the Stellenbosch Mountain and comprises 115 hectares – with 51 hectares of vine.

In the heart of “The Golden Triangle” of the Stellenbosch Winelands, the farm’s terroir is part of an area widely recognised as the finest wine-growing sub-region in the country – specifically famous for the quality of the red wines.

In 2017 – under new South African ownership – Blaauwklippen embarked on a comprehensive turnaround strategy to reclaim its position as one of the most iconic estates in the country.

This included the relaunch of the entire premium portfolio, with a steadfast focus on quality and the revival of the farm’s brand home and hospitality offerings.

“The partnership with the Retief family of Van Loveren will allow us to accelerate our brand and marketing plans and optimise our production capabilities”, says Blaauwklippen CEO Ben-Carl Havemann.

Van Loveren & Blaauwklippen: Viable partnership

“Innovation has been a cornerstone of the Blaauwklippen legacy for 340 years. We believe that Van Loveren is the ideal partner to help us champion new and better ways to share our story in more ways, with more expertise, at more locations throughout the globe”, says Ben-Carl.

For Van Loveren and the Retief family, this partnership marks their first official entry into the Stellenbosch wine region.

Widely acclaimed and known for their premium and quality array of wines, they export their products to more than 68 countries and are the market leader in many categories.

“Stellenbosch is the premier recognised wine region in South Africa. As part of our diversification, growth and evolution, we believe that Blaauwklippen will be an exceptional addition to our growing portfolio and specifically our premium offering”, says Van Loveren MD, Phillip Retief.

“Blaauwklippen can and should be one of the most widely celebrated and enjoyed wine brands. With our network and proficiency, we are excited about the potential of the brand to become a market leader in its own right”, he adds.

“Aligned to our growth strategy, this partnership is a unique opportunity to invest in a wine brand, wine tourism, agriculture and an outstanding location.”

The extent of working together will be done with the assistance of expert advisors to comply with relevant regulatory requirements

About Blaauwklippen

Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen is the oldest wine farm in Stellenbosch. The name, meaning ‘Blue Stones’, is derived from the grey-blue decomposed granite found on the farm and surrounding mountain slopes.

Vineyard practices aim to achieve the perfect balance between healthy vines and low yields to produce the best quality wines.

The premium range of Blaauwklippen wines includes its’ 2019 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Cellar Door: R325), and its flagship 2017 DBK Bordeaux Blend (Cellar Door: R215), 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Cellar Door: R185), and Brut Rosé MCC (Cellar Door: R195).

Specialities of Blaauwklippen include a 10-year- old Potstill Brandy (Cellar Door: R545) and the acclaimed Before & After Apéritif (Cellar Door: R375). Their range of vapour-distilled Gins puts a fresh spin on their tradition whilst offering consumers new ways to enjoy the brand.

Over the past two years, Blaauwklippen has grown revenue from its’ wine and spirits portfolio by 61%.

More than 50% of product sales are currently achieved from hospitality operations on the farm and direct-to-consumer online sales.

In future, Blaauwklippen believes that retail and export sales will proportionately contribute much more to its revenue under the strategic partnership with Van Loveren.

The Blaauwklippen Blending Competition is South Africa’s longest-running wine blending competition.

Wine enthusiasts and clubs from across South Africa are currently invited to try their hand at the art of wine blending in the 39th iteration of this keenly contested blending battle. Entries close on 31 May 2022.

About winemaker Narina Cloete

Narina Cloete has been the winemaker at Blaauwklippen since June 2016.

She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture Science (Oenology) cum laude from the University Stellenbosch and has completed harvests at Glen Carlou Vineyards, Dornier Wines, AA Badenhorst Family Wines and Stellenzicht Wine Estate.

She joined Quoin Rock Winery in 2008 as an assistant winemaker and was promoted to winemaker from 2010 until 2014.

She serves on various wine judging panels, including the South African Young Wine Show, FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Vintners Classification, Blaauwklippen Blending Competition, Veritas Awards and the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.

She also judged in Spain at the 2018 Zarcillo International Wine Competition.

Narina loves expressing her creative side through winemaking and strives to create wines that express the vines’ terroir and give the consumer the chance to experience Stellenbosch and South Africa through Blaauwklippen’s wines.

About Van Loveren

Van Loveren is located 180 km from Cape Town, in the Robertson Valley between Robertson and Bonnievale.

Banks of scarlet cannas along the roadside distinctly mark their vineyards, which have been in the Retief family for over three generations.

The Retief family has been making wine since 1937 - sweet wines and wines for brandy in those early years.

A significant milestone was reached in 1980 when brothers Nico and Wynand Retief launched the Van Loveren brand – the family name of an ancestor (Christiena van Loveren) who arrived in South Africa in 1699.

Under this label, the first 500 cases of Premier Grand Cru were bottled, and since then, visitors have been welcomed to the farmstead and tasting rondavel.

The story of the third generation of the Retief winemakers began in the 1990s.

After completing their studies, Wynand’s sons, Phillip and Neil, and Nico’s sons, Hennie and Bussell, joined the family business.

Built on three generations of proudly South African entrepreneurial spirit and genuine hospitality, the Van Loveren portfolio includes many quality and premium wine offerings and is a world-class wine tourism destination.

Today Van Loveren is South Africa and Africa’s leading family-owned wine business, employing more than 600 employees, boasting three successful BEE empowerment initiatives, various JVs and plans for even further expansion.

They epitomise the belief in South Africa’s future through meaningful partnerships and live to share their love of wine and their growth journey.

Brands in the current Van Loveren portfolio include Van Loveren, Christiena’s Trousseaux, Retief Reserve, Zandvliet, Tangled Tree, Four Cousins and Rhino Run Organic, to name but a few.

By partnering with Blaauwklippen, the family is confident and focused on continuing on the journey of further enhancing the excellence of the premium offerings.

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