If you thought the best olive oil only came from Spain or Italy, think again
Nestled in the serene Oudemuragie Valley of the Klein Karoo, De Rustica Olive Estate is proving South Africa can more than hold its own.
What started in 2006 as a passion project by mining entrepreneur Rob Still has become a globally celebrated olive oil estate. De Rustica now has over 77,000 olive trees, and their small-batch, cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) are making serious waves on the world stage. Their Coratina variety was recently ranked second best in the world at the 2025 EVOOLEUM Awards — and it’s the only non-Spanish or Italian olive oil in the Top 10. Local? Yes. World-class? Absolutely.
But this is more than just a success story in flavour. De Rustica is also a model of sustainable farming and community upliftment, employing hundreds of locals and training them into skilled artisans of the olive oil world. From regenerative farming and no-till practices to producing hormone-free Dohne lamb, everything here is done with integrity and intention.
If you’re a foodie (or a fan of farm-to-table living), this is a place worth tasting — and visiting. You can book an olive oil tasting, buy direct from their farm shop, or even stay overnight in their charming self-catering cottages. It’s local excellence, bottled.
Visit DeRustica.co.za to shop, taste, or plan your visit.
