On Thursday, 5 February 2026, the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event once again celebrated five esteemed role players in the South African wine industry who have paved the way forward by setting standards of commendable excellence. This prestigious event also blessed the season’s new grape harvest while commemorating the birth of the South African wine industry 367 years ago in 1659. South Africa is unique in this regard as it is able to identify the exact origin of its wine industry by a diary entry dated 2 February 1659: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.”
The Retief family of Van Loveren received the coveted 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership for their industry-leading contributions to multiple spheres of the South African wine industry. Their active strategies are built on six growth pillars: wine tourism, acquisitions and partnerships, transformation, innovation, sustainability, and diversification. Wine tourism has become a powerful extension of the Van Loveren story, with seven tasting room experiences under different brands. Their move into strategic acquisitions has been equally inspiring, with a focus on preserving original winemaking legacies and keeping it proudly South African. Regarding transformation, Van Loveren demonstrates their real commitment with a number of impactful employee shareholding initiatives. Further, innovation and sustainability are integral to the Van Loveren philosophy, with initiatives ranging from award-winning energy-smart projects to wildlife protection. The winery was also named Evolve-BGS and WineMag’s 2025 Energy Assessment Champion, recognising more than a decade of investment in renewable energy. Even beyond wine, they have expanded thoughtfully, diversifying into almonds, cherries, citrus, and avocados making them a top contributor to inspire a growing South African agricultural economy. The far-reaching industry influence of Van Loveren bears testament to the Retief family’s market foresight and creative leadership, making them laudable recipients of this accolade.
#DYK The 2026 recipients are worthy torch bearers for the standards set by previously acknowledged industry greats. They are: the Retief family of Van Loveren Wine Estate with the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership; Denzel Swarts in the Growing Inclusivity category; Pieter Ferreira in the Wine Advancement category; Charl Theron in the Viti- and Viniculture category; and Wilfred Fortuin in the Wine Agri-Worker category.