At Van Loveren Family Vineyards, she is the winemaker behind the Christina Cap Classique collection – the estate’s flagship sparkling wines.
Danelle studied Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University before gaining valuable international harvest experience in Australia and Switzerland, as well as at several respected South African wineries. She joined Van Loveren in 2006 as the estate’s first non-family winemaker and has since become synonymous with the Christina range.
Named after the Van Loveren family’s matriarch, the Christina collection reflects both heritage and elegance. Under Danelle’s careful guidance, the Cap Classique wines are crafted using the traditional method, with hand-harvested Chardonnay and Pinot Noir spending extended time on the lees, and every bottle carefully hand-riddled to achieve the wine’s signature finesse and complexity.
Known for her sharp eye for detail and her quick wit, Danelle brings both discipline and humour to the cellar. Her uncompromising approach to quality has earned the wines numerous accolades, including 96 points and gold at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards for the Christina Cap Classique Brut.