The Guide To Extra Virgin Olive Oil In South Africa

08/09/2025

.lami hosted a special olive oil tasting at the beautiful in Stellenbosch recently. The Guide to EVOOSA was a welcome part of her presentation.

26/08/2025

's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an award winning blend of cultivars (FS17, Frantoio, Leccino and Coratina) grown, handpicked, pressed and bottled on the private family-owned estate in the Scherpenheuwel Valley outside Worcester.

Nick Wilkinson, owner/producer is a chartered accountant by profession, but studied olive oil production under Giorgio Mori (Italy) and at U.C. Davis (USA). With his attention to detail, he has been producing award winning oils since 2010, garnering recognition across the globe with top local and international awards including awards from New York, Japan, UAE, Italy and Amsterdam, year after year.

As one of SA’s top producers, they are proud to share their consistently delicious oils in personalized on-tap decanters, ensuring freshness until the last drop. The decanter designs may change from harvest to harvest, but that same great taste never fails to please! Rio Largo adopts biological farming methods for sustainable agriculture by “putting back more than we take out”, together with overall concern for protecting the environment for future generations.

To learn more about Rio Largo, visit our website (link in bio).

20/08/2025

13/08/2025

Baked Carrots with Local Extra Virgin Olive Oil

When carrots are baked with local extra virgin olive oil, something simple becomes exceptional. The oil’s richness draws out the carrots’ natural sweetness, while a hint of fruitiness or pepper from the olive oil adds depth.

Sourcing from local growers means every bite carries the flavour of our region, fresh, vibrant, and rooted in place. Perfect as a side, or simply enjoyed on their own, warm from the oven.

22/07/2025

Chris and Ilze Bosch from purchased the Dal Rivier Farm in Dal Josafat in the late 1990s. The farm has a natural spring and was once called “Living Waters”. Dal Rivier boasted almost 1,000 olive trees of the Mission cultivar at this point, but it didn’t take the new owners long to realise the potential of developing Dal Rivier into a fully functioning olive producing farm. There are now close to 10,000 trees that yield superior quality olives that are pressed on the farm in a state-of-the-art processing facility. Dal Rivier Farm is operated by Julius Bosch and supplies the Olive Factory retail chain. The farm is also the exclusive provider of EVOO for - the main ingredient in their handmade olive oil soaps.

To learn more about Olive Factory, visit our website (link in bio).

09/07/2025

Why Cook with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)? 

Extra virgin olive oil isn't just a flavorful addition to your dishes—it's a powerhouse of health benefits:

Heart-Healthy Fats: Rich in monounsaturated fats, EVOO supports cardiovascular health and may reduce inflammation.

Antioxidant-Rich: Packed with antioxidants like oleocanthal and oleuropein.

Heat Stability: Contrary to myths, EVOO remains stable at typical cooking temperatures, retaining its nutritional value. 

Versatile in the Kitchen: Perfect for sautéing, roasting, or drizzling over salads—EVOO enhances flavour while promoting health.

Elevate your cooking with EVOO and savor uboth taste and wellness!

02/07/2025

founder, Giulio Bertrand, is considered the ‘Father of Olive Oil’ in South Africa as he paved the way for the local olive oil industry as we know it today. In 1994, he imported 17 superior Italian olive varieties, started a wonderful partnership with the Olive Oil Institute in Perugia, and planted 42 hectares of olive trees on the farm’s rocky soils. The estate’s first Extra Virgin Olive Oils were released into the market in 1998. Morgenster is renowned for producing balanced, harmonious Extra Virgin Olive Oils with a rich fruity complexity.

To learn more about Morgenster, visit our website (link in bio).

24/06/2025

Why Roast with Local Extra Virgin Olive Oil? 

Because it’s delicious, nourishing, and supports your community.

🌿 Packed wi- antioxidants (hello, polyphenols!)
🔥 Holds up beautifully at roasting temps
🌍 Low food miles = a win for the planet
💚 Supports local farmers and sustainable growing methods
🍠 Brings out the best in veggies – crisp, golden, and full of flavour

Drizzle, roast, repeat.

20/06/2025

All ’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils are pure, natural oils made from olives grown and processed according to the highest quality and technology standards, consistently guaranteeing free fatty acid and peroxide values of well below internationally required standards. Our consistency of producing super premium EVOO’s has been acknowledged by receiving the highest local and international accolades since 2017 as well as being SA’s most awarded Extra Virgin Olive Oils the past 3 years.

To learn more about Mardouw, visit our website (link in bio).

21/05/2025

Established in 1833, is an amalgamation of four adjacent farms, three of which were owned by the celebrated author Wilbur Smith who wrote many of his first novels here. In 2000 Adv Altus Joubert SC bought the farms, planted 10,000 olive trees and with the help of Prof. Ben Farrell, doyen of SA landscape architecture, transformed the farms into a place of tranquility and beauty. Conditions are perfect for growing olives. Besides table olives, the farm produces olive preserves, chutneys, olive spices and soap products made from award winning olive oil.

To learn more about Kransfontein, visit our website (link in bio).

08/05/2025

The first commercial planting of olive trees in South Africa was done by Piet Cillie in 1893 on Reni’s farm () and it was this history that inspired her to continue the tradition. From 800 olive trees she increased the plantings to 3,500 by 1995. Reni achieved her Certificate as an olive oil taster from ONAOO at the University of Imperia in Italy and she qualified for her Panel Leader certificate there two years later. Today Reni is the Panel Leader of the SA Olive CTC Tasting Panel and she has been Panel Leader at the New Zealand Olive Oil Competition and is a judge on the Sol D’Oro tasting panel. Reni runs tasting courses, makes wine and rescues animals!

To learn more about Hildenbrand, visit our website (link in bio).

27/03/2025

is located just 3 km out of Darling towards Yzerfontein, nestled amidst vineyards, grazing cattle, and olive groves. Their 70Ha of olives are grown on dry-land on the Alexanderfontein Estate. The olives are processed within 24 hours of being handpicked, resulting in a superior quality product.

Experience a traditional approach to olives on a working farm where cattle are still herded by horse and a flock of sheep might cross your path. Darling Olives is a great place to start your education about how olives are grown, pressed, and cured.

To learn more about Darling Olives, visit our website (link in bio).