Van Loveren's Fish Eagle hiking trail is 7.5 kilometres long, and according to the estate more than 100 bird species live along it. Van Loveren easily fills half a day. Christina's Bistro serves wood-fired pizza and burgers, and there is a garden tour and, on weekdays, a cellar tour with a glass of Cap Classique. Van Loveren also runs outlets in Klipheuwel near Klein Brak and in Worcester.
- Fish Eagle hiking trail
- 7.5 km
- bird species along the way
- 100+
- Goudmyn F farm bought
- 1937
- of water in the cellar, May 2026
- 2 m
The story starts in 1937. Hennie Retief Sr bought the farm "Goudmyn F" and renamed it after Christina van Loveren, who arrived at the Cape in 1699 and was an ancestor of his wife Jean van Zyl. The brand followed in 1980, the first Premier Grand Cru in 1981, and today the third generation runs the estate.
In May 2026 the Breede came. Water stood up to two metres deep in the cellar, and Harpers reports 1.3 million bottles of stock damaged, while TimesLive says over a million. The tasting room was closed for several weeks afterwards. In September 2026 the website lists opening hours again, but call ahead to be sure. By Van Loveren's own account it was the fourth major flood in three years.
- When
- Mon to Fri 8:00 to 17:00, Sat 9:30 to 16:00, Sun 11:00 to 15:00, as of September 2026
Our tipWalk the Fish Eagle trail before the tasting, not after. Because the tasting room was closed for weeks after the flood, check before you set off that it is open on your day. De Wetshof is only about 700 metres away as the crow flies.
Van Loveren: frequently asked questions
Is Van Loveren open again after the 2026 flood?
After the Breede flood of May 2026 the Van Loveren tasting room was closed for several weeks. In September 2026 the website lists opening hours again, but there is no explicit reopening announcement, so check before you go.
Can you take dogs on the Van Loveren hiking trail?
Yes, dogs are allowed on Van Loveren's 7.5-kilometre Fish Eagle hiking trail near Robertson. According to the estate, more than 100 bird species live along the route.
What can you eat at Van Loveren?
Christina's Bistro at Van Loveren serves wood-fired pizza and burgers. On weekdays there is also a cellar tour that includes a glass of Cap Classique.