generation after generation

The tree aloe (Aloidendron barberae) was planted by Nico.

[T H E FAR M W I T H T HE CA N N A S] Van Loveren has been in the Retief family since 1937 when Hennie Retief snr’s dad, Nico, bought part of the farm Goudmyn in the Robertson district. In 1939, Hennie married Jean van Zyl, who convinced him to name the farm Van Loveren in memory of Christina van Loveren who came to South Africa from the Netherlands in 1699. Christina was married to Wilhelm van Zyl and they started the Van Zyl family here. A kist made of Philippine mahogany that contained Christina’s trousseau today stands in the Van Loveren tasting room.

When you see the blood-red cannas (right) along the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale, then you know you’re close to the Van Loveren Wine Estate.

“There was a clump of cannas in Jean’s garden that Nico just loved. He decided to plant the clump next to the tar road that passes by here,” says Shan. “We now plant cannas all along this road where we have land. Those beautiful plants bloom for up to eight months of the year.”

When Bussell was a child, his family often went to the Kruger National Park and he was fascinated by the palms in Tzaneen. This, as well as the palms planted by his grandfather Hennie, inspired him to grow some of these trees. In this part of the garden, the red and white pelargoniums are among Anne-Marie’s favourite plants. “I took a cutting of a white pelargonium during a trip to Israel and brought it home in a water bottle. It is now the most gorgeous plant and brings back wonderful memories.”