Van Loggerenberg Wines

Van Loggerenberg Wines was established in 2016 by Lukas and Roxanne Van Loggerenberg as a family operation. Lukas studied winemaking at Elsenburg College and gained practical experience during three vintages with Pierre Wahl at Rijks Private Cellar. He also spent time as a winemaker in Connecticut, USA, and worked at Druk My Niet Estate in Paarl. The decisive moment for the brand occurred during a 2015 trip to the Loire Valley with fellow winemaker Reenen Borman, where a tasting of Cabernet Franc at Domaine de la Chevalerie inspired him to start his own venture. Upon returning to South Africa, he produced his first vintage in a rented shed in the Devon Valley area of Stellenbosch and eventually established a permanent base in the region.

The producer does not own any vineyards and instead relies on long-term relationships with growers to source fruit from specific sites across the Western Cape. These parcels are located primarily in the Polkadraai Hills and Firgrove wards of Stellenbosch, the Paardeberg region of the Swartland, and parts of Paarl. Many of the vineyards consist of dry-farmed bush vines planted between the 1960s and 1980s, often on decomposed granite or ferricrete soils, known locally as koffieklip. Winemaking follows a minimal intervention philosophy with a focus on early picking to preserve natural acidity and precision. Lukas utilizes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and avoids commercial additives, employing whole-bunch pressing for whites and significant whole-bunch inclusion for reds like the Graft Syrah. Maturation typically takes place in used French oak barrels, concrete eggs, or foudres to prioritize fruit expression over wood tannins.

The portfolio is headlined by several site-specific wines named for personal milestones or characteristics. The Geronimo Cinsault, named for the leap of faith taken to start the winery, and the Breton Cabernet Franc are among the most recognized labels. Other notable releases include the Trust Your Gut and Kameraderie Chenin Blancs, which are noted for their transparency and lower alcohol levels. Lukas was named the Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin in 2018 and was inducted into the Cape Winemakers Guild in 2024. This recognition has placed the winery among the prominent producers in the South African wine industry focused on producing fresh, textural wines that reflect their specific geographical origins.