Like fine wine, high-quality extra virgin olive oil makes everything from salsas to salads to seafood taste better. Fortunately for us, olives tend to grow well in the same places as wine grapes and some of South Africa’s top wineries are producing some exceptional pure and artisan olive oils that are as good as the quality of their wines.

Want to know where to get the good stuff? We’ve compiled a list of favourite local wineries that also make olive oil. Whether you want to whizz up the tastiest salad dressings or use as a dip for crusty bread, make sure you have a bottle of olive oil from one (or more) of the top South African wine estates in your kitchen cupboard.

Allee Bleue

Set in the Franschhoek Valley, famous for its award-winning Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, Allee Bleue has a lot more going on than just wine. The property is planted not only with the vineyards that produce its innovative Black Series range, but also boasts 33 hydroponic tunnels as well as a net house where over 1.2 tons of herbs are harvested each week. The extra vigin olive oil is produced from six hectares of mission olive trees and is available in 250ml and 500ml bottles. We suggest you grab a bunch of herbs and make your own Salsa Verde.

Baleia Wines

The first thing that will strike you about Baleia’s Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Oil is the packaging. It’s certainly pleasant to look at. The farm is located near the small town of Vermaaklikheid along the Cape South Coast. The limestone-rich soils in close proximity to the ocean creates an exceptionally unique terroir. The result is some of the highest quality olive oil that South Africa has to offer. Visit the Baleia Wines website for a range of delicious recipes.

Broad Valley

Applying to olives the experience gained through years of grape growing, the Kretzmar family helped develop a new level of extra virgin olive oil production by emphasizing the concept of terroir. Broad Valley Farm is located in the Klein Rivier Valley near Hermanus. The altitude and climate here guarantee a perfect environment for growing olives. This distinctive olive oil works well over a tasty Italian dish.

Gabrielskloof

The olive orchards at Gabrielskloof Estate benefit from the cool Mediterranean climate of the Botriver region. For the truly discerning foodie, a bottle of Gabriëlskloof Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the way to go. This cold-pressed oil boasts low acidity and has been awarded top honours in multiple olive oil competitions. With a delicate balance of fruity and buttery notes and a bouquet of black pepper, fresh rocket, and almonds, this oil is flavourful and fragrant without being overpowering. Drizzle this high-quality olive oil on an omelette. It adds a wonderful layer of flavour and melds nicely with the mushrooms or cheese wrapped inside.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest extra virgin olive oil is made up from a blend of mission and frantoio olives hand-picked at different ripeness and processed within 24 hours after picking. The olive oil has delicate fruity flavours and a slight bittersweet taste with a peppery sensation. Love what you taste? Take some home by the bottle or in bulk! Hillcrest olive oil compliments this fish recipe really well.

Morgenster

The 300-year-old Morgenster Estate is situated near the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain in Somerset West and is renowned for its unusual wines and award-winning extra virgin olive oil. Flos Olei 2018 edition awarded Morgenster 98 points out of a possible 100, the fifth year that Morgenster has achieved this level and the only South African producer ever to have done so. The specialized olive grove takes up 50 hectares with 30 000 trees which produced 3 000 quintals of olives and 600 hectolitres of oil in the last harvest. This is a quintessential finishing oil and should be the centrepiece of your dinner table. Pour it onto these creamy white bean risotto and enjoy the sensory experience.

Tokara

Set atop of the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, famous for its high-end Cabernet Sauvignon, Tokara has a lot more going on than just wine. The property is planted not only with the vineyards that produce the signature Directors Reserve Red, but also with 22 hectares of bearing olive trees. Having planted predominantly Frantoio, Leccino and Mission olives on the property, Tokara was the first South African olive oil producer to bottle and market single varietal olive oils from these varietals. The range of oils brings out the flavour in food, and we suggest you try the Multi Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil with this Miso grilled eggplant and quinoa salad.