The Rottcher family and the Sonnengold Winery

Before Ivala was a Guest Lodge and Wedding Venue, it was an orange winery and pecan nut farm owned and run by the Rottcher family.. 

Vic Rottcher made Sonnengold Orange Wine from 1940 until he passed away in 1965 when his son, Denzil continued to run Sonnengold. Sadly Denzil passed away in 1981 and Ivala was sold to the Wentzel family and thereafter a magistrate from Greytown who used Ivala to farm cattle.

After years of being out of the Rottcher family, Bryan Bradfield purchased Ivala at an auction for his wife, Gene Bradfield (nee Rottcher). Gene is Vic's daughter and Denzil's sister and grew up at Ivala.

The Bradfield family now run Ivala as a working pecan nut farm, bed and breakfast and events venue which offers good old fashioned service,  incredible home cooked meals and a beautiful welcoming home.