HOW IT STARTED
Engineer Piet de Sonnaville, a graduate of Wageningen Agricultural College, owned and ran an orchard situated in Altforst where he was a pioneer in the development of several novel apple varieties. After completing his studies during the wartime period, he was commissioned by Prof. Sprenger to bring all varieties of apple (1,200), pear (700), and plum (400) from the Benelux into focus and plant them at IVTs test garden, the Santackers in Elst, where he was employed.

His fruit farm was the place where he bred the varieties Carmine de Sonnaville, Orange de Sonnaville, Septerappel, Meiprinses, and Crimson. He continued this breeding work throughout his life because he considered it important for the fruit sector.

Several seedlings, including the LOLA, were left behind by him. “The LOLA is a cross-breed between ‘Elstar’ and (‘May Princess’ x ‘Gloster’).” This apple immediately stood out for its pink appearance and delightful sweet/ slightly sour taste

… AND THEN
 A few years later, colleagues tasted and saw this apple, and enthusiastic comments came in about its potential, with its good preservation and shelf life standing out in particular.

Through many years, extensive testing has been carried out across Europe and on the continents of North and South America and Africa, in cooperation with renowned research institutes. All of the experiences and research results led to the first LOLA apples being able to be harvested.

Just Lovely!

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