A good olive oil can transform even the simplest meal. But a great olive oil can do wonders and bring depth of flavour to seasonal salads, grilled mains, artisanal bread and anything that touches the table, even desserts like ice cream. And with an increasingly impressive range of South African extra virgin olive oils, there’s plenty to explore close to home.
From the Klein Karoo and the Winelands to the valleys and mountains, these brands showcase the character of their estates, cultivars and terroir. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite single- and multi-varietal blends. Crafted with care and complete with unique flavour profiles, these local olive oils were made for drizzling. Consider these bottles worth keeping in your pantry.
Babylonstoren Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend
On the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, between the winegrowing areas of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, Babylonstoren produces extra virgin olive oil from farm-grown olives.
The extra virgin olive oil blend is a fusion of five Italian varieties grown in the sun and soil on the slopes of the Simonsberg. Cold-extracted at the farm’s olive oil plant, it is a well-balanced and harmonious oil suited to a variety of culinary endeavours. Babylonstoren’s trio of olive oils also includes two single-cultivar oils: Coratina and the robust Frantoio
A versatile wonder.
Green with a golden tint, the blend has fresh notes of mint and a hint of honeysuckle as a gentle top note. It is silky on the tongue and in the throat, with fruity and herbal notes, soft florals and fresh nuts, smoothly followed by a medium intensity of bitter, peppery notes. A versatile wonder, this olive oil can be used with almost anything, from steamed fish, Caprese salad and vegetables to pasta, eggs and creamy yoghurt.
Origin: Simonsberg Mountain, between Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, Western Cape
Style: Medium intensity, multi-varietal EVOO comprised of five Italian cultivars.
Tasting notes: Fruity, herbal and peppery notes, soft florals and fresh nuts.
Pair it with: Salads, like this hearty and wholesome Roasted Pumpkin & ClemenGold Salad with Labneh & Dukkah Crumble.
Good to know: Tours of the olive oil plant take place daily at 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00. Guests can discover the process from olive to oil and taste Babylonstoren’s cold-extracted extra virgin olive oils and table olives along the way.
Price: R210 per 500 ml | SHOP HERE
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Greenleaf Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Along the banks of the Breede River near Swellendam, the Greenleaf Olive Company has been crafting exceptional extra virgin olive oil since 2005.
Family-owned and run, the expansive Western Cape estate is home to nine olive cultivars, from Coratina to Koroneiki, grown across some of the most extensive olive groves in Southern Africa. Every drop is cold-pressed within hours of harvesting to lock in freshness – the hallmark of a producer that treats quality as non-negotiable.
From their groves to your table.
The result is Greenleaf Extra Virgin Olive Oil: a delicate yet versatile, multi-varietal blend built for every kitchen. With green grass, ripe almond and soft floral undertones, it pairs deliciously with charred vegetables, fresh salads and more. It’s the bottle you reach for whether you’re roasting vegetables, whisking up a marinade, or finishing a bowl of pasta – proof that good olive oil doesn’t need to come at a premium price. It’s quality from their groves to your table.
Origin: Breede River Valley, Swellendam, Western Cape
Style: Delicate, multi-varietal EVOO
Tasting notes: Green grass, ripe almond and soft floral undertones
Good to know: Available in 500 ml (R139) and 1 L glass bottles (R249), at national retailers, including Checkers, Pick n Pay and Spar.
Pair it with: Desserts. The ripe almond and floral undertones make it great for drizzling over this Salted Dark Chocolate, Pretzel and Caramel-Rippled Ice Cream.
Price: Price on application.
greenleafoliveco.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Willow Creek Estate Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray
At the heart of Willow Creek Olive Products lies a simple, passionate belief: that the finest extra virgin olive oil should be the cornerstone of every kitchen, not just a luxury reserved for special occasions.
While their journey first took root among the olive groves in the sun-drenched, fertile soils of the Nuy Valley, Willow Creek has evolved into a master of the craft. Today, they select and blend premium olives. By partnering with dedicated growers who share uncompromising standards, they ensure that every product captures nature’s goodness.
Great for the environment and home cooks.
Boasting a medium-fruity character, the Willow Creek Estate Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil tantalises the palate with subtle aromas of freshly cut grass and hints of apple. Extra virgin olive oil connoisseurs will also be able to detect perfectly balanced bitter and peppery notes, which fade into a pleasant aftertaste. This pure, undiluted blend consists mainly of Frantoio and Mission cultivars at a half-ripe stage. Foodies will also love the product’s non-aerosol spray bottle for its practicality and convenience. Free of chemical propellants and refillable, it’s not only great for the environment but also allows home cooks to enjoy drip-free application and expert portion control with every spray. Whether you are seeking health benefits or looking for the perfect gift, Willow Creek Olive Products brings quality to your table.
Origin: Nuy Valley, between Worcester and Robertson, Western Cape
Style: Medium intensity, multi-varietal blend mainly consisting of Frantoio and Mission olives.
Tasting notes: Freshly cut grass, hints of apple and balanced bitter and peppery notes.
Good to know: Willow Creek Olive Products is ideal for corporate gifting. They offer private labelling to businesses and brands. Elevate your gifting needs with curated, sophisticated selections that leave a lasting impression.
Pair it with: Grilled meat, dips, anything and everything. The apple and pepper notes are ideal for this Greek-style Pork Chop Platter.
Price: R180.90 per 300ml | SHOP HERE
willowcreek.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
Buffelsdrift Farm Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Buffelsdrift Farm brings the character of the Klein Karoo to the table with small-batch pantry staples.
Alongside Frantoio, Coratina and Barnea, the farm grows Nocellara olives, which are cold-pressed on-site to create quality extra virgin olive oil. The result is a farm-grown extra virgin olive oil that is all about careful craft and letting the character of the olives shine.
Keep it within easy reach for finishing dishes.
The Nocellara is a single-varietal EVOO with a soft, balanced profile, made for everyday cooking and drizzling. Mild buttery notes meet green tomato, almond and fresh greens, with a gentle peppery finish that adds lift without overpowering a dish. Its easy-going character makes it ideal for fresh salads, vegetables, seafood and pasta, while a generous pour over fresh bread is hard to resist. Keep it within easy reach for finishing dishes, dressing salads or adding a little Klein Karoo flavour to meals.
Origin: Ladismith, Klein Karoo, Western Cape
Style: Medium-style, single-varietal olive oil made using Nocellara olives.
Tasting notes: Buttery with hints of green tomato, fresh greens, almond and a subtle pepper.
Pair it with: Pasta. The green tomato and gentle peppery finish truly complement this delicious Gnocchi in a Creamy Basil Pesto Sauce.
Good to know: Visitors can book accommodation and explore the farm.
Price: R255 per 250 ml; R329 per 750 ml | SHOP HERE
buffelsdriftfarm.com | Instagram
DeMorgenzon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
DeMorgenzon, meaning ‘the morning sun’, takes its name from its high-altitude position in the Stellenbosch Kloof valley, where the estate’s slopes are among the first to catch the morning light.
Bought by Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum in 2003, the estate has since been transformed into a garden vineyard, with wildflowers growing between the vines. Perched on the slopes of Ribbokkop, it overlooks Kanonkop and forms part of one of Stellenbosch’s historic agricultural landscapes.
The estate’s slopes are among the first to catch the morning light.
A Tuscan-style blend of four Italian cultivars, this extra virgin olive oil contains Coratina, Frantoio, Leccino and Mission olives. Coratina delivers intense fruitiness and a peppery finish, Frantoio adds green olive, artichoke and fresh-cut grass, Leccino brings a buttery texture and sweet almond notes, while Mission contributes ripe fruit and floral character. The result is a balanced oil with plenty of freshness and complexity. Drizzle it over fresh salads, grilled vegetables and artichokes, or pair it with seafood. Keep it on the table and let it bring a final hit of freshness and flavour to dishes.
Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Style: Medium, multi-varietal blend of Coratina, Frantoio, Leccino and Mission olives.
Tasting notes: Peppery, fruity, floral with green, artichoke, grass and sweet almond notes.
Pair it with: Grilled vegetables, like this delicious Chargrilled Spring Onion, Pea & Asparagus Salad with Jalapeño Vinaigrette.
Good to know: Guests may visit the estate’s biodiverse garden.
Price: R195.00 per 500 ml | SHOP HERE
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De Rustica Chemlali Single Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil
De Rustica’s Chemlali Single Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from the Oudemuragie valley near De Rust, where the Klein Karoo meets the foothills of the Swartberg mountains.
Founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Rob Still, the farm grew from a vision to revive the valley following the decline of its once prominent ostrich industry, to which its logo pays homage. Today, De Rustica spans 3,300 hectares, with 135 hectares dedicated to olive groves.
Where the Klein Karoo meets the Swartberg mountains.
Made exclusively from estate-grown Chemlali olives, this medium-style, single-varietal EVOO has a mild, smooth character and delicate fruitiness. Fresh green and ripe olive notes meet subtle artichoke and nutty flavours, with gentle bitterness and light pungency adding balance. Its refined profile pairs beautifully with fresh salads, light vegetable dishes and steamed fish, while also working well in marinades and baked goods.
Origin: De Rust, Klein Karoo, Western Cape
Style: Medium-style, single-varietal oil, made from Chemlali olives.
Tasting notes: Fruity, fresh green and ripe olives, with hints of artichoke and nuts.
Pair it with: Seasonal salads. The green and ripe olive notes make it ideal for pairing with this Grilled Asparagus, Fig & Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette.
Good to know: Estate tasting tours and olive-to-oil tours are available, from April to July.
Price: R228,01 per 500 ml | SHOP HERE
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Montpellier Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend
With the Drakenstein Mountains as its backdrop, Montpellier in Franschhoek is a place where the landscape is very much part of the experience.
The historic Manor and gardens are framed by olive groves, terraces and sweeping valley views, and that strong sense of place carries through to its extra virgin olive oil. Made from a blend of Frantoio and Favalosa olives, this is a delicate, beautifully balanced oil with fresh green and ripe olive notes alongside grass and tomato, softened by almond, subtle floral notes and a hint of tropical fruit.
Spoon it over leafy salads or serve it simply with crusty bread.
There’s gentle bitterness and pepperiness on the palate, giving the oil just enough character, followed by a clean, lingering finish. It’s made for the table and all those moments when a good drizzle can take a dish from ordinary to delicious. Spoon it over leafy salads, grilled or roasted vegetables, pasta and grains, or serve it simply with crusty bread for dipping. It’s also lovely with fresh cheese, grilled fish and Mediterranean-style dishes where its delicate flavour can shine. Bottled in beautiful handcrafted clay bottles, Montpellier’s EVOO is one to keep within easy reach, both for cooking and for passing around the table.
Origin: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Style: A delicate oil, made from a blend of Frantoio and Favalosa olives.
Tasting notes: Green olive, grass, tomato, almond, floral, tropical fruit and gently peppery, with a balanced profile and persistent finish.
Pair it with: Bread. The fresh green and ripe olive notes pair perfectly with this Olive Oil & Herb Crusted Loaf with Chunky Olive & Feta Dip.
Good to know: Packaged in handcrafted clay bottles, connoisseurs can order between a sand-coloured or speckled vessel containing Montpellier Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Price: R925 per 500 ml | SHOP HERE
montpellierfarm.co.za | Instagram
Morgenster Don Carlo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Morgenster Estate has a rich history. The family estate sits in the Helderberg foothills in Somerset West, where Giulio Bertrand established Morgenster’s olive oil programme in the 1990s.
In partnership with the Olive Oil Institute in Perugia, he imported 17 specially selected Italian olive cultivars and planted them in the estate’s rocky soils. Today, the Bertrand family continues his legacy, with Giulio’s daughter Federica and granddaughter Vittoria at the helm.
The family estate sits in the Helderberg foothills.
This single-varietal, intense EVOO is made from Don Carlo olives, lending a bold yet elegant character and spicy undertones. On the nose, expect tomato, tomato leaves, artichoke and rosemary, while the palate brings hints of almond and artichoke alongside its pronounced spice. Its intensity makes it particularly good with grilled and marinated meat, vegetables and soup, while a generous pour over freshly baked sourdough lets its bold flavour shine.
Origin: Somerset West, Western Cape
Style: Intense, single-varietal EVOO made from Don Carlo olives.
Tasting notes: Bold yet elegant with spicy undertones. Tomato, tomato leaves, rosemary, artichoke and hints of almonds.
Pair it with: Pasta. The tomato, artichoke and rosemary aromas and spicy profile pair great with this Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce Pasta.
Good to know: Morgenster extra virgin olive oils are made from imported Italian olive cultivars.
Price: R235 per 500 ml | SHOP HERE
morgensterestate.co.za | Facebook | Instagram
There’s always more to explore. Check out our additional list of favourite local olive oils.
