Riebeek Valley Olive Festival

"Voted by the media as one of the three best foodie festivals in the Western Cape, South Africa", the festival is a celebration of all that the beautiful Swartland district has to offer.

Giving visitors an opportunity to meet the people of the valley, experience their country lifestyle and sample their local produce that has helped to make the Riebeek Valley so popular, the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival is hosted by the beautiful and quaint sister towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West which are only 5 kilometers apart.

Each year during the first whispers of Autumn, as the vineyards start to become blazes of red and yellow, the first weekend of May is set aside to celebrate the award winning olive, its oils, fruit, soaps and cosmetics as well as the gorgeous wines of this Swartland region.

Accommodation varying from the luxurious to the charming bed & breakfast and self-catering is also on offer.

The South African olive industry is a new one by world standards, where olives have been grown, and oil made, since biblical times. The Greek olive industry, for example, is at least 5000 years old. Although olives have been grown at the Cape since the days of Jan van Riebeeck, it was only in 1903 when Ferdinando Costa purchased a farm in Paarl that the real start of olive growing as a commercial enterprise in South Africa was made. Large scale production only really started in the last 20 years or so. The South African industry is also characterized by creativity, with producers using the olives to make much more than just oil.

The Riebeek Valley has established itself as the primary olive oil and olive producing region in South Africa. Riebeek Kasteel not only boasts four of the top olive producers in the country, but is also home to two Italian trained olive oil graders. The wines from the Swartland are of an extraordinary quality and very much in demand, winning prestigious local and international awards.

known to be one of the top 10 foods to eat to improve your skin’s complexion, with health benefits which have made Olive Oil a symbol of longevity the exceptional Olive Oil pressed in the Valley is being manufactured by local producers into cosmetics.

Rich in Vitamin E and other antioxidants which have excellent anti-oxidizing benefits and regenerating power on the skin tissue the creams, soaps, massage oil, even lip balm and more will be available for testing and purchase from Olive producers.

Only an hour’s drive out of Cape Town the still authentic rural valley at the foot of the Kasteelberg has become a superlative local tourist destination. Artists and arts & crafts people have settled in the valley over the years with the opening of quaint guesthouses, fine restaurants, interesting shops, galleries and even small businesses.

While parents can enjoy a leisurely day outdoors, children are safely entertained in the kiddies' play section. There is no entry charge and there is always ample designated parking with shuttle services lifting visitors to the various venues

Olive grove tours
Olive and olive oil tastings
Wine cellar tours and wine tastings
Cheese tastings
Farmers market offering local olive products, fresh produce and local delicacies
Olive inspired menus at the participating restaurants
Art exhibitions
Performances by well-known musicians

For queries call the organisers on 082 896 5022 or 083 299 7731