Van Loveren Family Vineyards offers an array of wine tasting options. From food-and-wine pairings to kiddies sparkling grape juice and treats. There are a couple of spots on the Van Loveren farm for your wine tasting experience – the informal wine bar in our Tasting Room (referred to as “The Pod”) provides an intimate social setting or the deck which is situated under an old imposing oak tree with expansive views over the garden and surrounding mountains.
But one of the real treasures that Van Loveren wine tasting offers Robertson is Freda-Marizen Jacobs. Freda-Marizen is the sommelier that hosts the wine tastings at our Family Vineyards. Both local and international guests are taken by Freda’s wine knowledge and charming demeanour. Let’s find out more about this extraordinary young woman.
How Van Loveren found this young sommelier to host their wine tasting
Freda-Marizen began working in the Van Loveren Tasting Room on a casual basis after she finished school. It was initially an interim job as she wanted to study nursing. However, she soon discovered her love for all things wine and undertook her Sommeliers course through a local academy and completed it in 2020. This is not a fly-by-night course and takes years to complete. Freda tackled the Sommeliers course with diligence and a positive attitude and now adds incredible value to our wine tasting experience.
How a young lady from Robertson discovered her love for wine tasting
As soon as Freda started working in our Tasting Room, she grew in her appreciation of the entire journey from vine to wine. She simply could not get enough knowledge about winemaking and wine tasting.
And once she began attending the Sommeliers Programme, it cemented her love even more. She seemingly “fell” into this career, but we are so grateful to host this driven passion she has for all things wine related.
What is the Wineland’s 30 under 30?
Every year, Wineland Media hosts a 30 under 30 award for “youngsters to watch” in the wine industry in South Africa. In 2021, Freda made the cut and put herself on the map for wine tasting in Robertson and further afield. Winning this award gave her even more motivation to push herself and her career. The Van Loveren family watched with awe as she faced personal challenges and yet, persevered.
What can you expect at a Van Loveren wine tasting?
Whether you are a first time wine taster, a wine connoisseur or just like to have a good time with friends and family, Van Loveren has it all! Visitors can either enjoy an informal tasting at our pod or experience a food-and-wine pairing tasting on the deck overlooking the beautiful garden.
Alternatively, visitors can book a wine cellar tour to explore where the wines are made and afterwards, order a bottle of Van Loveren wine accompanied with a lazy lunch at Christiena’s Bistro inside the Manor House or in the garden.
Which food-and-wine pairing does Freda recommend for new guests?
Freda’s favourite food-and-wine pairing at Van Loveren is the Christiena Cap Classique and grilled Patagonian calamari. She would recommend this food-and-wine pairing as she believes there’s something about that combination that brings out the best of both. She is also passionate about winemaking techniques and loves to teach people about them.
What does a wine tasting at Van Loveren cost?
The food-and-wine pairings varies from R65 to R135 per person. The Papillon Kids Tasting includes two non-alcoholic tastings paired with a Smartie mallow, popcorn and minim fruit roll at R65 per child. Furthermore, pairings including wine and cheese or a combination of sweet and salt treats are R90 per person. If you are more interested in exotic chocolates and wine (R95 per person) or only tasting our Cap Classique and other premium wines in cultivar specific Riedel glasses, look no further and book your wine tasting here.
In addition, the Van Loveren Tasting Room also offers three types of non-alcoholic tastings including the Papillon Sparkling Pairing (R75 per person), the Absolute Zero Sparkling Pairing (R75 per person) and the Almost Zero De-Alcoholised Wine Pairing (R90 per person). To view our wine tasting menu, click on this link.
The Van Loveren Family Vineyards are proud of the wine created on the farm. We value the crops and the winemaking process and the bottles of wine that end up on your table. But it is also essential to us that we value the people that make our wine what it is. Freda-Marizen is one of the people that offer incredible worth to our wine tasting in Robertson and we applaud her for her passion and dedication.
Book your Van Loveren Wine Tasting Experience or contact info@vanloveren.co.za / 023 615 1505 for more information.