The 2025 SA Olive Awards took place at the scenic Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate in Wellington on Tuesday, 9 September. The annual awards ceremony, a highlight on South Africa’s agricultural calendar, honoured the country’s top Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) producers, shining a spotlight on the exceptional quality, passion, and innovation that continue to drive this fast-growing industry.
GOLD WINNERS
| Medal | Producer | Style & Commercial Name |
| GOLD | Andante Olives Porterville | Intense – Andanté Intenso |
| GOLD | Babylonstoren | Medium – Babylonstoren Blend |
| GOLD | Babylonstoren | Medium – Babylonstoren Coratina |
| GOLD | Babylonstoren | Medium – Babylonstoren Frantoio (Vlakte) |
| GOLD | Babylonstoren | Medium – Babylonstoren Versnit |
| GOLD | De Rustica Estate | Intense – De Rustica Coratina |
| GOLD | De Rustica Estate | Delicate – De Rustica Delicate |
| GOLD | De Rustica Estate | Intense – De Rustica Favolosa |
| GOLD | De Rustica Estate | Intense – De Rustica Intense |
| GOLD | De Rustica Estate | Medium – De Rustica Medium |
| GOLD | Willow Creek Products Pty Ltd | Intense – Directors Reserve |
| GOLD | Willow Creek Products Pty Ltd | Medium – Estate Blend |
| GOLD | Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm | Intense – Favolosa |
| GOLD | Willow Creek Products Pty Ltd | Medium – Frantoio Single Cultivar |
| GOLD | Het Vlock Casteel | Medium – Het Vlock Casteel Favolosa |
| GOLD | Lions Creek Estate (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Karoo Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| GOLD | Kleine Haaskraal Pty Ltd | Medium – Kleine Haaskraal EVOO Mission |
| GOLD | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Mardouw Favolosa |
| GOLD | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Delicate – Mardouw Premium Delicate |
| GOLD | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Intense – Mardouw XXV Intense |
| GOLD | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Mardouw XXV Medium |
| GOLD | Morgenster Estate | Medium – Morgenster Don Carlo EVOO |
| GOLD | Morgenster Estate | Medium – Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| GOLD | Willow Creek Products Pty Ltd | Delicate – Nuy Valley |
| GOLD | Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm | Medium – Picual |
| GOLD | Lions Creek Estate (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| GOLD | Rio Largo | Medium – Rio Largo Delft |
| GOLD | Rio Largo | Delicate – Rio Largo Gold |
| GOLD | Rio Largo | Intense – Rio Largo Premium |
| GOLD | Tokara | Delicate – Tokara Frantoio EVOO |
| GOLD | Tokara | Delicate – Tokara Mission EVOO |
| GOLD | Tokara | Medium – Tokara Woolworth Estate EVOO |
SA Olive’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Nick Wilkinson
SILVER WINNERS
| Medal | Producer | Style & Commercial Name of Oil |
| SILVER | Altevrede | Intense – Altevrede Extra Virgin Olive Oil Favolosa Intense |
| SILVER | Altevrede | Medium – Altevrede Extra Virgin Olive Oil Frantoio Medium |
| SILVER | Andante Olives Porterville | Intense – Andanté Forte |
| SILVER | Andante Olives Porterville | Medium – Andanté Mezzo |
| SILVER | Lions Creek Estate (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | Babylonstoren | Medium – Babylonstoren Frantoio |
| SILVER | Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm | Medium – Coratina |
| SILVER | Darling Olives (Pty) Ltd | Delicate – Darling Olives Estate Blend |
| SILVER | Darling Olives (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Darling Olives EVOO |
| SILVER | Kleinood Wines / De Boerin | Medium – de Boerin Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | De Rustica Estate | Medium – De Rustica Frantoio |
| SILVER | Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm | Medium – Frantoio |
| SILVER | Lions Creek Estate (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | Pex Investments (Pty) Ltd. T/A Greenleaf | Medium – Greenleaf Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | Het Vlock Casteel | Delicate – Het Vlock Casteel Frantoio Exclusive |
| SILVER | Het Vlock Casteel | Intense – Het Vlock Casteel Coratina |
| SILVER | Het Vlock Casteel | Medium – Het Vlock Casteel Frantoio Kasteelberg |
| SILVER | Het Vlock Casteel | Medium – Het Vlock Casteel Mission |
| SILVER | Indigo Ridge | Medium – Indigo Ridge |
| SILVER | Hennie Volschenk | Medium – Kleinbergskloof Estate Blend |
| SILVER | Hennie Volschenk | Medium – Kleinbergskloof Family Reserve |
| SILVER | Kleine Haaskraal Pty Ltd | Medium – Kleine Haaskraal EVOO Coratina |
| SILVER | Kleine Haaskraal Pty Ltd | Medium – Kleine Haaskraal EVOO Frantoio |
| SILVER | Kransfontein Estate | Medium – Kransfontein Director’s Reserve |
| SILVER | Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm | Delicate – Leccino |
| SILVER | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Mardouw Frantoio |
| SILVER | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Mardouw Premium Medium |
| SILVER | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Intense – Mardouw XXV Intense Blend |
| SILVER | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Mardouw XXV Medium Limited Edition |
| SILVER | Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd | Delicate – Mardouw XXV Delicate |
| SILVER | Morgenster Estate | Delicate – Morgenster Delicate EVOO |
| SILVER | Mount Ceder | Medium – Mount Ceder EVOO |
| SILVER | Oakhurst Olives | Medium – Oakhurst Olives Maurino |
| SILVER | Oakhurst Olives | Medium – Oakhurst Olives Premium Reserve |
| SILVER | Oakhurst Olives | Medium – Oakhurst Olives Special Reserve |
| SILVER | Olive Boutique | Medium – Olive Boutique Frantoio Leccino |
| SILVER | Olive Boutique | Medium – Olive Boutique Nocellara |
| SILVER | Lamara 2 Rivers (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Orchard Blend |
| SILVER | Kielder South Africa | Medium – Premium Selection EVOO |
| SILVER | Rio Largo | Medium – Rio Largo Black |
| SILVER | Rockhaven Farm | Medium – Rockhaven EVOO |
| SILVER | Pex Investments (Pty) Ltd. T/A Greenleaf | Intense – Saint Sebastian Bay Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | Serrado Olive Estate (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Serrado Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| SILVER | Terre Paisible | Intense – Terre Paisible Aromatic |
| SILVER | Terre Paisible | Delicate – Terre Paisible Delicate |
| SILVER | Terre Paisible | Medium – Terre Paisible Moderee |
| SILVER | Tokara | Medium – Tokara Multi-Varietal EVOO |
| SILVER | Tokara | Intense – Tokara Premium EVOO |
| SILVER | Zoetigheyd Farms | Medium – Zoetigheyd Frantoio Valley |
SA Olive’s Agri-Worker of the Year Award Winner: Felicia Mouries -Tokara
BRONZE WINNERS
| Medal | Producer | Oil (Style & Commercial Name) |
| Bronze | Darling Olives (Pty) Ltd | Medium – Darling Olives Fynbossie |
| Bronze | Herstein Estate | Medium – Herstein EVOO |
| Bronze | Kransfontein Estate | Intense – Kransfontein Coratina Olive Oil |
| Bronze | Kransfontein Estate | Delicate – Kransfontein Mission Olive Oil |
| Bronze | Olive Boutique | Delicate – Olive Boutique Frantoio |
| Bronze | Zoetigheyd Farms | Medium – Zoetigheyd Farm Fresh |
| Bronze | Zoetigheyd Farms | Medium – Zoetigheyd Frantoio Hillside |
| Bronze | Zoetigheyd Farms | Medium – Zoetigheyd Premium Blend |
| Bronze | Petra Olive | Medium |
Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, congratulated all the winners and participants, while acknowledging the contribution of industry partners: “The SA Olive Awards celebrates the entire industry’s commitment to quality and authenticity, rewarding the hard work of South African producers who elevate our EVOOs to a world-class standard. We also celebrate the Agri-Worker Awards, which honour the dedication of those working behind the scenes, and extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, including Absa, Old Mutual, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and Woolworths, all of whose support help the awards to drive excellence, inspire innovation, and strengthen the industry.”
Mr. Darryl Jacobs from The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) highlighted the olive sector’s contribution to both the province’s economy and its heritage: “The olive industry represents a growing pillar of agriculture in the Western Cape. Beyond its economic significance, it also contributes to rural development, employment, and tourism. The SA Olive Awards reminds us of the unique value of this sector, and the importance of celebrating products that carry the heritage and story of South Africa’s soil.”
As a long-term supporter of the olive industry, Woolworths once again endorsed the importance of appreciating and supporting local producers. Mrs. Claudia Pentasaib says, “For us, quality is non-negotiable. The SA Olive Awards showcase the best of the best, and we are proud to play a role in celebrating producers who embody the highest standards. These award-winning EVOOs remind consumers that South Africa produces oils equal to, and in many cases better than, those from traditional olive-growing countries. We remain committed to backing local excellence and ensuring that consumers can find the finest South African olive oils on our shelves.”
The 2025 SA Olive Awards not only celebrate excellence in olive oil production but also pay due tribute to the people and partners who make this industry thrive. From producers and agri-workers to sponsors and consumers, every role contributes to building a vibrant and sustainable olive sector that continues to grow in local and global recognition.
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![The @quarterkitchenrestaurant at @theportswoodhotel , a much-loved eatery in the V&A Waterfront, has launched a brand-new menu that celebrates Cape Town’s flavours with a fresh, modern twist.
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After an array of delectable starters, Tim chose the aged ribeye steak, whilst I simply couldn't resist the pork belly, thoughtfully served with a selection of L'Avenir wines. For dessert we shared the classic magnum ice cream (with koe'sisters on the side!) and the mixed berry creme brulee, both uber decadent and a lovely way to end off the evening.
In the words of Cheff Randall, "[f]ood is about balance – between flavours, textures, and emotions...[i]t’s about making the familiar taste better than expected, while giving guests something new to discover.”
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