The first weekend in May is always an immensely exciting one for the Swartland Wine- and Olive Route. This is when our region welcomes visitors from far and wide who come to eat, drink and be merry at the annual Riebeek Valley Olive Festival.
Last year’s event was cancelled due to the impact of the drought, but we are happy to report that this slight lull in festivity only gave the organisers and local producers more time to craft away at the 2019 event, which will take place on between the 3rd and 5th of May.
To be frank, this year’s Riebeek Valley Olive Festival is poised to blow all kinds of socks off. The weekend’s line-up is crammed chock-full of exciting events, occasions and destinations, which is why we thought we’d give you a head’s up so you can plan your 2019 festival experience for maximum enjoyment.
THE BASIC INFO
Not keen on reading too much? Here are the crib notes.
When: 3, 4, 5 May 2019
Where: Riebeek Kasteel & Riebeek West
What: Olives, wine, festive vibes, family fun times
Cost: R125 (Weekend Passport); R80 (Sunday only); kids go FREE
Tickets: Available to purchase online
Accommodation: See the Riebeek Valley Tourism site and Rooms in Riebeek
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Now we get to the fun stuff! Here’s what you can look forward to at the venues of the Swartland Wine- and Olive Route members who will be participating in the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival. **Drumroll please!**
Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Estate
Kloovenburg will be hosting a relaxed soiree under the estate’s 150-year oak trees all weekend long. This will include a number of food stalls (think waffles, pizzas, pancakes, charcuterie & cheese, and Balinese cuisine), as well as tastings of all Kloovenburg olive products and wines. Live entertainment will set the tone for a convivial atmosphere, and youngsters are invited to try out the new trampoline, indulge in boerewors rolls and get spray-on tattoos.
Active festivalgoers can join the Kloovenburg team on a guided walk and olive press demonstration on 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The 3km guided walk is free to Passport holders and will take participants up into the farm’s olive groves for about an hour, after which a fascinating olive press demonstration will be conducted back at the estate.
Contact: 022 448 1635 | info@kloovenburg.com | www.kloovenburg.com
Het Vlock Casteel
Het Vlock Casteel has no less than three venues where you can kick back and enjoy your Olive Festival spoils. Head inside to sit down in the wedding venue, take a seat on the deck to enjoy live music and an incredible view, or find a spot among the vineyards where you can relax with your feet firmly on the earth.
The industrious Het Vlock Casteel team has more than 50 olive products and 200 pickled and preserved products on their shelves, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Vat-aged red wines will be available per glass or bottle, and ice-cold Chenin Blanch slush puppies will also be on offer. Indulge in fresh oysters and bubbly, grab a nice cup of coffee or take some time to browse a selection of leather goods, ceramics and jewellery – the choice is yours.
Please note that no wine tastings will be conducted during the festival period.
Contact: 022 448 1433 | info@hetvlockcasteel.co.za | www.hetvlockcasteel.co.za
Olive Boutique
Relax under the oak tree in an olive oasis celebrating an ancient fruit. Taste the Olive Boutique’s innovative range of gourmet olives, extra virgin olive oils and olive pastes, and indulge in their sensuous range of olive oil body care products. Sample gourmet mushrooms, creamy toffees, cheese & charcuterie and handcrafted confectionary; and stick around for Swartland platters, street food, Riebeek Valley Wine Co wines, craft gins and liqueurs. It’s like a tiny festival all on its own!
Contact: 022 448 1368 | olives@olive-boutique.co.za | www.olive-boutique.co.za
Riebeek Valley Wine Co
Coming for the tunes? Head to Riebeek Valley Wine Co on the outskirts of Riebeek Kasteel! Here you can stretch out on the lawn with a glass of wine and enjoy a jam-packed line-up that includes acoustic sets by Francois van Coke, Jesse Jordan, Sunset Sweatshop, Soetmelk, Jake Gun, Willim Welsyn, Francois Haasbroek and more.
A variety of gourmet food trucks and olive product stalls will provide sustenance, there is plenty of parking and you can even hop a shuttle to and from the town square. Space inside is limited, so go early if you want a lekker spot!
Keen to learn more about the art of wine blending? Join Riebeek Valley Wine Co winemaker Alecia Boshoff for a wine-blending session on Sunday. Space is limited, so please pre-book this blending session on info@riebeekwineco.co.za to avoid disappointment.
Contact: 022 448 1213 | info@riebeekwineco.co.za | www.riebeekvalleywineco.com
Allesverloren
Allesverloren will pushing out the boat with no less than four different festival spots on their extensive ground between Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West. The Allesverloren Function and Conference Venue will be hosting Lianie May and DJ Dirkie on Friday evening; while the Pleasant Pheasant Restaurant will be open for regular meals throughout the weekend, with a DJ and dancing on Saturday from 19:00 – 23:00. The wine shop will be open for the duration of the festival and the Wine & Country Market will be selling wine, muscadel slushies, beer on tap, craft gin, all sorts of olive products and treats, as well as Italian food, Mexican fair and more. Sand art and kid’s entertainment will also be on offer to keep the youngsters occupied.
Contact: 022 461 2320 | info@allesverloren.co.za | www.allesverloren.co.za
Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock is the ideal spot to enjoy a lazy day sipping wine in an authentic wine farm setting. If you like your festival experience to be convenient, this is the place to be – there’s free parking, olive tasting and wine tasting of select Brink Family Vineyards vintages; as well as tasty potjiekos and roosterkoek for sale. Feel like getting a move on? Tackle the hiking trail up into Kasteelberg along the vineyards, or put your golfing skills to the test by participating in the Ultimate Golf Challenge!
Contact: 022 461 2025 | info@pulpitrock.co.za | www.pulpitrock.co.za
BONUS TIPS FROM PRO FESTIVALGOERS
Bring some cash
Most of the festival vendors will have electronic payment options available, but your whole experience will be greatly streamlined if you have cash on hand. There are only a few cash points in Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West, so if you prefer to avoid queues it’s a good idea to visit the ATM before you get on the road.
Wear your comfy shoes
The Riebeek Valley Olive Festival is not confined to a single location and parking can be a bit tricky once the full throng of festivalgoers arrive. Your best bet is to be prepared to walk short distances from one location to the next (especially between Het Vlock Casteel, Olive Boutique and Kloovenburg). As such, we highly recommend that you wear some comfy shoes.
Bring your basket (or a reusable shopping bag)
Our Riebeek Valley producers are taking great strides to be more environmentally-friendly, and you can do your bit by bringing along a basket or reusable shopping bag to carry all your festival shopping. This way no plastic has to exchange hands and it will also be a whole lot easier to ferry your loot from one location to the next.
Be prepared for all weather conditions
May is a very unpredictable month when it comes to the weather – it may drizzle, it may rain, there could be some serious sunshine, or you could experience all four seasons in the course of one weekend. As such, we recommend that you come prepared for pretty much anything. Pack a light anorak, collapsible umbrella, a hat and some sunscreen; and dress in light layers so you can add or subtract to keep cool or warm up throughout the day.
Leave the diet at home
Seriously, there is no sense in counting calories at the 2019 Riebeek Valley Olive Festival. You’re going to be tempted by freshly-baked breads, gorgeous local wines, glistening olives, jewel-toned jams, cinnamon-kissed pancakes and countless other bits of YUM. Just give in to temptation and leave the diet until Monday (trust us on this one).
And that’s the lot! We look forward to welcoming you in our neck of the woods for a kick-ass celebration of all things pretty and delicious. For more information on the 2019 Riebeek Valley Olive Festival, contact Yvette Puchert on riebeekvalleyolivefestival@gmail.com or 083 441 2083.