Make your way to the picturesque Swartland towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West for the annual Riebeek Valley Olive Festival over the weekend of 5 and 6 May 2012. These quaint little towns come alive as they showcase the best the region has to offer in food, wine and olives.

Visitors are welcome to visit wineries for tutored or casual tastings, enjoy live entertainment, and stock up on a wide selection of olives, olive oils, preserves and tapenades, as well a vast selection of olive-based beauty products. Amongst the many new activities at this year’s festival will be an olive emporium, a country fair, a fresh goods market as well as an olive martini bar.

An R80 passport, valid for the entire festival weekend, allows you entry to the various wine farms and the town-based marquees; a complimentary tasting glass; and a free tasting of olives or wine. The passports can be purchased online at www.webtickets.co.za or on the day at participating establishments as well as the two centralised marquees.

Make a weekend of it and book into one of the Valley’s accommodation establishments, ranging from self-catering cottages and B&Bs to luxurious hotel accommodation. Weekend passports can be purchased at www.webtickets.co.za, or on the day at participating establishments and the two centralised marquees. For more information and a full list of participants, email olivefestival@gmail.com or phone 082 909 1116 / 084 207 3820.

While you’re in town, have a meal at one of these local restaurants:

Auntie Pasti  
Cuisine: tapas, light meals.

Bar Bar Black Sheep  
Cuisine: contemporary, South African (bookings essential).

Café Felix 
Cuisine: French (booking essential).

Café Merlot  
Cuisine: tapas, light meals, South African.

De Jonge Café  
Cuisine: French.

Ed’s Diner at The Barn  
Cuisine: light meals, grills.

Kasteelberg Country Inn and Bistro  
Cuisine: bistro, contemporary.

Traveller’s Rest 
Cuisine: South African.