Craig Rippon, a UCT business science graduate and son of a veterinarian and sheep farmer decided in 2000 to plant 7 000 wild olive trees on his property in order to create what has become Springvale Olive Estate.
Craig Rippon, a UCT business science graduate and son of a veterinarian and sheep farmer decided in 2000 to plant 7 000 wild olive trees on his property in order to create what has become Springvale Olive Estate.
On the afternoon of Saturday 26 April, Rippon gave Grahamstown citizens an opportunity to learn about the olive oil and olive farming process, as well as enjoy an olive-infused three course meal.
What everyone learned was that olive farming is not an easy process and that Rippon has had his great years, as well as some very dreary ones.
“2012 was a good year, but it has been bad for the past two years,” Rippon said.
“This has been a learning lesson for me. I once had an idea of having 20 000 trees, but with 7 000 I already have too much on my plate.”
Rain, frost and fungi complicate olive farming so Rippon is thinking about producing olive oil solely.
The Springvale Extra Virgin Olive Oil brand was introduced in 2010.
“It takes a year on average to eventually sell the olives, but olive oil can be sold the next week after picking,” Rippon said.
Rippon took his guests on a tour of the farm and ran them through the process of olive oil and olive farming from beginning to end.
Starting from the wild olive trees; to the picking, sorting and pressing, to the infusing of olives in salt and vinegar brine, the guests eventually made it to the tasting table where they could drink pure olive oil and eat various kinds of olives.
After the tour, guests were treated to a three course lunch that had many olive dishes.
Amongst these were: different types of olive tapenade, olive and tomato soup, infused olive oil pastries, depitted olives, and even the meats were cooked with pure olive oil.
Rippon’s olive products can be bought in Grahamstown from Fusion Speciality Food, Kenton Spar, Route 72 Country Shop in Port Alfred and Nanaga Farm Stall near Port Elizabeth.
