Recipient of the 1659 Visionary Leadership Award

The Retiefs of Van Loveren Family Vineyards (VLFV) have been awarded the coveted 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership. The 2026 honour, conferred by the organisers of South Africa’s annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, recognises the family’s extensive and ongoing contribution to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the local industry.

VLFV MD Philip Retief, his brother Neil and cousins Hennie and Bussell Retief together have created what is arguably now the country’s largest independent wine company. Exporting to 70 countries, it has interests across many of the Cape’s key wine-growing areas, from the family’s home base of Robertson to Stellenbosch, Paarl, the Swartland, Tradouw and Worcester.