Extra Virgin Olive Oil in South Africa

Where the oil comes from

South African extra virgin olive oil is almost entirely a Western Cape crop, from Stellenbosch and the Swartland through Franschhoek and out toward Swellendam.

Mission olives from the Cape's early plantings still appear, though most oils now come from Mediterranean cultivars such as Frantoio, Coratina and Leccino.

Picking runs through the southern winter. Dates on individual bottles still vary widely from grove to grove.

There are currently 97 extra virgin olive oils from 30 producers across 25 regions in South Africa. 65 are marked available.

Varieties that appear most often: Frantoio (34), Coratina (27), Mission (16), Leccino (13), Favolosa (12).