Take a drive...be inspired

The 9th annual Riebeek Valley Olive Festival will take place on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2009 in the picturesque Riebeek Valley celebrating the award winning olive oils and wines from the Swartland region.

The largest of its kind in Southern Africa, the Festival is hosted by the beautiful twin hamlets of Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel and falls on the first weekend of May each year. The festival highlights the region’s prosperous olive industry and is also an opportunity for visitors to sample the neighbouring wine farms.

The Riebeek Valley has established itself as the primary olive oil and olive producing region in South Africa. Riebeek Kasteel not only boasts four of the top olive producers in the country, it is also home to two Italian trained olive oil graders. The wines from the Swartland are also of an extraordinary quality and very much in demand winning prestigious local and international awards.

One of the great spin offs from towns like this is that they attract many creative people. Riebeek Valley is no different. Present at the Olive Festival is the 'Artist's Village' and many of the resident artists of the Valley will be there. I think that it is actually worth taking the 45min drive from Cape Town, just to see the local talent.

When you get to the Valley, you will see exactly where the inspiration to express your essence comes from. The place is just beautiful.

Personally, I am hoping to see two of my favourite artists:
Li Nepgren

And Solly Smook