The year is speeding to a close, and before you know it the December holidays will be upon us, which means there will be time to explore the wonderful Western Cape Winelands with friends and family. Looking for a novel experience or two to enjoy on your festive season excursions? If so, we highly recommend that you include a few Swartland olive destinations on your must-visit list.
The Riebeek Valley, in particular, is renowned for its annual Olive Festival. The 2018 festival was cancelled due to the impact of the drought earlier this year, which was unfortunate, but the delay also gave the planning committee plenty of time to reimagine the event for 2019! TOP TIP: If you’re in the habit of planning ahead, now would be an excellent time to rally the troops and book your Riebeek Valley accommodation before it’s all taken.
In the meantime, here are a few wonderful Swartland olive destinations that you can visit whenever the mood strikes:

Kloovenburg
Kloovenburg was the first estate in the Swartland to ever cultivate olives for commercial production and sales. Today, the estate boasts an extensive portfolio of olives, olive oils, body products and more that are for sale from their tasting room, as well as various stockists countrywide. Guests can also pre-book informative olive tastings, olive and wine pairings or a combination olive- and wine tasting.
TOP TIP: Join the Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Club to enjoy 10% savings on cellar door prices on their wines and olives.
Email: info@kloovenburg.com | Telephone number: +27 72 596 6239 | Website: www.kloovenburg.com

Het Vlock Casteel
Het Vlock Casteel was one of the first South African producers to release single-varietal olive oils such as Mission, Frantoio, Leccino and Coratina. Each of these cultivars display unique characteristics with regard to flavour, fruitiness and intensity. They also grow three different table olive variants that are preserved in interesting brines that enhance the flavour of each in a subtly different way. Best of all – you can book a formal tutored olive tasting for groups of ten or more at R50 per person. Please note: Groups of 10 and more people can only be accommodated from Mondays to Fridays. Booking is essential.
Email: info@hetvlockcasteel.co.za | Telephone number: +27 22 4481 433 | Website: www.hetvlockcasteel.co.za

Olive Boutique
The Olive Boutique in Riebeek Kasteel offers a wonderful selection of products to purchase and take home, or enjoy on site. Additionally, if you grow your own olives on a small scale they are able to provide a pressing and bottling service so you may enjoy your own oil at home.
EVENT ALERT! Would you like to learn more about the Swartland and its wonderful olives? Olive Boutique will be hosting the 2018 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Expo on 24 November. This one-day-only event will be presented as a long table experience, with a six-plate degustation Swartland tasting menu tutored by SA Olive tasting panel founding member, Linda Costa, hosted by local fusion Chef Rory Lambson and paired with wines from maverick Swartland winemaker, Stompie Meyer. Tickets are limited and available online at www.olive-boutique.co.za.
Email: olives@olive-boutique.co.za | Telephone number: +27 22 448 1368 | Website: www.olive-boutique.co.za

Org de Rac
Org de Rac organic wine estate offers lovely cheese- and kiddies platters that may be enjoyed overlooking the rolling hills of the Swartland. This includes some locally-sourced olive products. Pop in with the family to enjoy a wine tasting and stay for a nibble. Keen to take home some olive oil? Visit the tasting room to stock up on the estate’s small-batch oils that are exclusively sold on the farm itself.
Email: wine@orgderac.co.za | Telephone number: + 27 22 913 2397 | Website: www.orgderac.co.za
Fynbos Estate
Fynbos Estate is a beautiful countryside destination that offers child- and pet-friendly accommodation in the exquisite Paardeberg area, and have become very well-known for hosting weddings and events. It also happens to be the home of Dragonridge Winery, and the owners have now begun to experiment with a peppery European-style olive oil, bottled olives, red-wine vinegar, organic honey, and small quantities of limoncello that are for sale on the farm itself. They also offer pre-booked country lunches at De Perdestal, so it really is one of those spots that invites you to make a day of it.
Email: info@fynbosestate.co.za | Telephone number: +27 22 487 1153 | Website: www.fynbosestate.co.za
These are some of the top olive producers in the Swartland region, all of which offer excellent olive products that can be included in your festive spread or given as gifts over the Christmas period. Feel free to contact the Santam Swartland Wine & Olive Route team if you would like more information about our olive producers and the exciting events taking place in our region.