A Haven of Hope

Spain, Italy and Greece may be the traditional homes of olive oil, but the finest extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the world might no longer be issuing exclusively from the orchards of the Mediterranean — it’s flowing from South Africa and celebrated on global stages.

Produced from the olive groves of De Rustica Estate, the farm is a beacon of agricultural excellence, sustainability, and community upliftment in the region. 

De Rustica Estate is located in the breathtaking and bio-secure Oudemuragie Valley near the village De Rust — described as the gateway to the Klein Karoo. 

With its award-winning EVOOs, premium lamb products, commitment to environmental stewardship, and country hospitality, De Rustica Estate is a testament to the power of passion, purpose, and hard work.

Established in 2006 by a mining industry entrepreneur with roots in the region, De Rustica Estate is a 3,300-hectare agricultural haven with 135ha of thriving olive groves in the Swartberg Mountains. 

Since pressing its first EVOO in 2012, the estate has received numerous local and international accolades for the quality of its oils, which include a 2018 award as the Southern Hemisphere’s top olive oil producer and last year’s global acclaim at the EVOLEUM competition in Spain.

At last year’s international Evooleum Awards in Spain, 26 respected international experts selected Klein Karoo producer De Rustica Estate’s Collection Coratina as the “best in class” and the “absolute best olive oil” in the world, winning 97 points out of 100, competing against approximately 1,100 entries from 27 countries.

De Rustica also once again claimed accolades in the New York International Olive Oil Competition in October, winning gold for its Coratina Collection.

Earlier this month, De Rustica Estate’s single cultivar Estate Collection — Favolosa EVOO won Gold at the 2024 Dubai Olive Oil Competition, a prestigious international event dedicated to recognising and rewarding the finest EVOO from around the world.

Locally, the estate has won an astonishing 29 gold medals at the annual SA Olive Awards in the past 10 years and was the most awarded in seven of those years.

In 2024 and 2023 De Rustica entered a total of 10 different oils and, extraordinarily, won gold medals for every single entry. 

Working the land

At the heart of De Rustica lies the pursuit of excellence. This commitment is reflected in the estate’s world-class EVOO, and its premium Klein Karoo lamb, both celebrated for superior quality. 

Equally important is the estate’s dedication to sustainability. From innovative water conservation techniques to regenerative farming practices, De Rustica ensures that its operations improve the land and enhance soil health. The estate stands as a model of environmentally responsible farming.

Olive oil is the soul of De Rustica Estate. Produced from 77,000 olive trees, of carefully selected cultivars such as Favolosa, Coratina, Frantoio, and Arbequina, renowned for their exceptional quality. Orchards are planted in differentiated microclimates in the Oudemuragie Valley to spread the harvest schedule and optimise terroir-cultivar selection. Each harvest is a meticulous process, with olives hand-picked and pressed immediately after harvest to ensure maximum freshness and flavour. 

The combination of high-altitude slopes, well-drained soils, and a Mediterranean montane climate creates ideal conditions for olive cultivation. The region’s cold winters promote dormancy, while its clear skies and significant day-night temperature variation enhance flavour development.

In the arid Klein  Karoo, water is a precious resource, which is why De Rustica takes every measure to conserve it. By removing invasive species from riverbanks, replacing open furrows with efficient pipelines, and employing advanced irrigation systems, the estate has significantly reduced water usage while maximising crop yield.

De Rustica directly utilises only about 550ha for its farming activities and preserves its surrounding veld, where grazing and hunting are not permitted. The farm has restocked the mountain sides with game such as springbok, black wildebeest and zebra and a programme is under way to conserve identified colonies of the endangered riverine rabbit. Seventy-five beehives of the threatened Cape bee have been established in the De Rustica hills. 

De Rustica practises no-till farming and enriches the land with organic matter, including olive pomace and sheep manure from the farm’s flock of Dohne Merino, to protect the soil and enhance its fertility. Anatolian shepherd dogs guard the flock, fending off the local jackal and caracal (rooikat). 

On average, De Rustica’s ewes deliver about 4,200 lambs each year. Processed on-site at a licenced abattoir, the De Rustica-branded lamb is a favourite among high-end butchers and discerning customers.

The estate’s impact extends well beyond its products: De Rustica was established in 2006 in a failed agricultural area, characterised by widespread unemployment and alcohol abuse, which suffered under the slow degradation of the ostrich farming industry — once the largest historic segment of agriculture in the Klein Karoo. 

Reviving the local economy

Today, 18 years after founding, De Rustica Estate is a beacon of hope and a remarkable story of recovery and rebirth. 

De Rustica has also repurposed old community halls, transforming them into vibrant spaces for meetings, educational programmes, and creche services.

All harvesting is manually done, to ensure better quality oils and provide employment in the community. During the harvest period, over 200 people are employed for between three and four months. Permanent staff are housed on the farm. 

By creating jobs, investing in local infrastructure, and empowering its neighbours, De Rustica is now a viable and developing farm that has become a symbol of what can be done with teamwork in SA to rise to produce the best olive oil in the world.

Visitors are invited to experience the estate’s offerings firsthand. The tasting room and coffee shop provide the perfect setting to savour the flavours of the region, from freshly pressed olive oils to country breakfasts and tramezzini. For those seeking a longer stay, De Rustica offers comfortable accommodation at the Stable Stay and Farmhouse, where guests can unwind amidst the natural beauty of the Little Karoo. 

Conference facilities are included for teams seeking to draw inspiration and ideas from the tranquillity of the De Rustica valley. 

De Rustica’s EVOOs are not only delicious — they’re ultra-fresh, and packed with polyphenols and antioxidants, which are at their peak potency. These powerful antioxidants have been scientifically proven to support heart health, reduce inflammation, and promote overall well being. 

Whether you’re an olive oil connoisseur, a food lover, or a tourist wanting to explore the best of the Little Karoo, De Rustica Olive Estate offers something special. 

Visit the estate, explore its award-winning products, and be inspired by the dedication that drives its South African success.

For more information, visit De Rustica Olive Estate, find them on Facebook, or discover the farm’s range of oils at select retailers.

Address: 1 Oudemuragie Road, De Rust, Klein Karoo

Tel: 044 241 2177

DM