O for Olive

Situated just minutes from the town of Prince Albert in the Cape Karoo, Swartrivier Farm is the town’s original olive farm and home to the O for Olive brand, a popular restaurant and also offers guided tours. The farm itself is very much a landmark of the area, with four generations of the Bothma family having worked the land here. Located on the town’s doorstep, the farm cover 668 hectares of land, with 17 hectares of olive orchards. The farm produces and processes the olives on site, along with extra virgin olive oil and other wares under the famous O for Olive brand.

The ever-popular Café O has recently been refurbished, adding a new patio and outdoor area, complete with manicured garden water features. The view remains the same, with the magnificent Swartberg Mountains not going anywhere, anytime soon! All products produced on the farm can be bought here, while there is also tea, cakes, fresh breads, light lunches, tapas and tasting sessions on offer.

The farm produces between 50 to 80 tons of olives per year. They are hand-picked and processed on site, along with the extra virgin olive oil that is cold pressed and bottled on the property. Guided tours are also offered here, starting with the olive groves, before moving on to the sorting tables, brining room and olive press. The best is saved for last, of course, with the tour ending with a tasting session and a light lunch platter at Café O.

Website: http://www.oforolive.co.za