De Rustica olive estate earns global acclaim for premium oil
EVOOLEUM, regarded as one of the world’s most rigorous and respected olive oil competitions, annually ranks the top 100 extra virgin olive oils worldwide. This year’s recognition places De Rustica’s product not only at the top of South African production but among the finest in the world.
It marks the highest-ever placement for a South African olive oil, a significant milestone for the country’s growing premium olive oil sector.
Situated between the Swartberg Mountains and semi-arid plains, the estate’s unique terroir contributes to the bold, peppery profile of its extra virgin olive oil. The CORATINA variety, a robust Italian cultivar known for its high polyphenol content and intense flavour, has found an ideal home in the region’s dry climate and mineral-rich soils.
The win is more than just a trophy. It signals the increasing competitiveness of South Africa in the global olive oil industry. It also signals a new chapter for South Africa’s olive oil industry, which has steadily grown in both volume and prestige over the past two decades.
Once a fledgling sector with scattered boutique producers, the South African olive oil industry has matured into a competitive force, driven by innovation and a deep respect for the land.
The Western Cape, especially regions like the Klein Karoo, Tulbagh, and Paarl, offers ideal conditions for olive cultivation. Mediterranean-style climates, with hot summers and cold winters, coupled with well-drained soils, provide the perfect environment for cultivars such as Frantoio, Leccino, and Coratina.
These cultivars are now being expertly cultivated by a new generation of farmers focused on quality over mass production.
South African extra virgin olive oils are increasingly recognised for their freshness, low acidity, and high polyphenol content, making them not only flavourful but also packed with health benefits. Local producers have embraced cold extraction methods and short harvest-to-mill times to preserve the integrity of the oil. As a result, the industry has won a steady stream of awards at international competitions in Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Still, challenges remain. The domestic market is small, and many South Africans are not yet familiar with what defines high-quality olive oil.
Imported blends, often of inferior quality, dominate supermarket shelves due to price sensitivity. However, awareness is growing. Educational campaigns by organisations such as SA Olive, along with increased global recognition, are slowly shifting consumer perceptions.
De Rustica’s achievement at EVOOLEUM stands as a beacon for what is possible when craftsmanship, terroir, and vision align. More than just a personal accolade, the win brings international attention to the broader movement of olive cultivation in the country’s interior valleys. It also signals to global buyers and chefs that South African olive oil deserves a place on the top shelf.
In this region, olive trees are now taking root as a marker of agricultural transformation. The Klein Karoo may be dusted with history, but the future of South African olive oil is anything but dry. It is green, golden, and, increasingly, world-class.
