Springvale Olive Estate was established 10 years ago on the Rippon family farm, where the family had farmed livestock since 1915. The Estate harvests olives from 12 different varieties of olive trees, which in a good year, can yield over 100 tons of produce.
Springvale Olive Estate was established 10 years ago on the Rippon family farm, where the family had farmed livestock since 1915. The Estate harvests olives from 12 different varieties of olive trees, which in a good year, can yield over 100 tons of produce. In the beginning of 2010, the farm acquired a press and ventured into the production of olive oil, establishing the Springvale Extra Virgin Olive Oil brand. Although faced with competition from cheaper European brands, and adversity from the common droughts in the Eastern Cape, Rippon has persevered and is now considered one of the few successful olive farmer in the region.He is well-travelled, and his love for this Mediterranean fruit has led him to learn techniques from the world's greatest olive experts.
Some of the Estate's products include preservative-free tapenade, depitted sundried olives with herbs, garlic-stuffed olives, chilli-stuffed olives and succulent whole olives flavoured with lemon, garlic and rosemary. There will also be a selection of Retief Goosen wines on sale. Those attending should bring a picnic blanket and cash as the Estate does not have a credit card facility.
