Our Story

On the outskirts of Stellenbosch nestled an awaiting dream for the Visser family of four. In 2014, Hennie and Theresa traded their corporate life for one in the Winelands on Lovane with their twin daughters, Natalie, and Andrea. Hennie and Theresa are both Chartered Accountants who started with little knowledge about winemaking but an overriding passion for learning and creating something people could make memories with and enjoy.

In 2014, they sat around the kitchen table simply scrolling through listings of possible wine farms, never realising the extent of the journey that lies ahead. On a spontaneous whim, Hennie, Theresa, and the girls took a trip down to the Winelands, and by the end of the weekend, the contract was signed, and the rest was history.

Hennie spent hours reading about the subtle science and striking art of making wine.

The community’s overwhelming generosity and helpfulness helped steer Hennie in the right direction.

On the night of the reputable Veritas Awards in 2015, Hennie and Theresa attended with high hopes but not too many expectations. Alas, at the right moment, it was announced that Lovane had won a gold medal for its iconic flagship wine, Isikahti.

Although Lovane is one of the smallest wine estates in South Africa, only growing three varieties consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc,

Hennie has adopted the philosophy of quality wine over quantity. The most electric time of the year is during harvest when every member of the Lovane team is put to work to produce the finest possible wine.

Harvest season starts in the early mornings when Hennie’s right-hand man, Hansie, sets off with his team into the vineyard to harvest the grapes. The cellar is always buzzing with friends and family chipping in to get the grapes weighed, crushed, and lifted into large bins to await fermentation. The day ends at around seven o’clock in the evening when the cellar gets wiped clean from the sticky remnants of the day’s work, ready to start the process again tomorrow.

Theresa and Hennie have always firmly believed that wine should be enjoyed with friends and family and used to create long-lasting memories and they wish to share that ideology with every guest welcomed at Lovane.