The Van Loveren story features many characters. One of them is Jean van Zyl. Unbeknownst to Jean when she married Hennie Retief Snr in 1939, she was to become the matriarch of generations of winemakers. Jean’s legacy of family values and traditions has shaped the Van Loveren vineyards to this day. Jean and Hennie had two sons, who followed in their footsteps and each had two boys of their own who are now grown with their own families, working together to run the Family Vineyards.
Ouma Jean’s garden
Ouma Jean had many talents, but her love for gardening truly left a mark. The Van Loveren gardens are a living memorial, filled with trees she planted to commemorate special family moments and historical milestones. During one of our garden tours, you’ll see how she and her husband planted trees to commemorate special family occasions, or important historic events with interesting stories entangled in the trees planted over decades. From the end of WWII to Mandela’s presidency, these towering giants stand as living monuments, with roots firmly embedded in the Robertson soil.
The Tangled Trees
The famous tangled Karee trees outside the Tasting Room stand as a testament to the feisty and fun relationship between Oupa Hennie and Ouma Jean. Both were adamant about their diagnosis—Ouma Jean was sure it was a Rhus Lancea, while Oupa Hennie insisted it was a Karee tree. In the end, they were both right as one name was the botanical name for the tree and the other the more commonly used name. These two young trees, now intertwined, have grown into a single ecosystem that nurtures birdlife and provides shade for all. Their story has inspired not only the local community to cherish their own relationships but also the vibrant wine range, Tangled Tree.
Ouma Jean’s love for community
Ouma Jean had a deep compassion for those less fortunate and sought to use the Family Vineyards to uplift the Robertson community. She introduced many social elements that continue to create spaces for the community to connect. One such space is our Tasting Room. This began in the 1980s as a simple setup of tables and chairs outside the ‘rondawel’, previously the old milk parlour. Ouma Jean envisioned a space where people could relax, savour wines at their leisure, and chat with the winemakers. She and her staff quickly became known for their sweetcorn fritters and warm, welcoming conversation.
Ouma Jean’s Sweetcorn Fritters:
If you’d like to try out Ouma Jean’s signature sweetcorn fritters, we’ve included her recipe here. Best served straight out of the pan – you’ll find them to be comforting, fluffy and downright delightful!
- 500g self-raising flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 beaten eggs
- 3 x 340g tin of sweetcorn
- 2 cups of milk
Mix all the ingredients together and fry dollops in hot oil until done.
Ouma Jean’s legacy
As with all of us, Ouma Jean’s decisions had a far greater impact than she expected. Changing the name of the farm from Goudmyn F to Van Loveren to honour her brave ancestor, Christina van Loveren, has lead to the creation of the entire brand and ethos of the Family Vineyards, as well as the premium Christina wine range honouring her.
Ouma Jean embodies tradition, courage and ingenuity. We remember her every time we raise a glass of Van Loveren wine and admire the Canna lilies she planted each Summer. Her tenacious spirit and zest for life continue to inspire and shape the very heart of our family vineyards.
