Willow Creek
Awards
At Willow Creek Olive Estate, we are meticulous about quality. For this reason, we are very proud that our hard work has been recognised and awarded, both locally and internationally.
We value the South African olive industry’s standards and because of our commitment to producing great quality olive oil, we participate in the SA Olive Oil CTC scheme.
The international awards and world rankings we have received from some of the best tasting panels and olive oil judges in the world, attest to our commitment to quality and the passion that drives our team. For us, the best prize of all is sharing that passion with olive oil enthusiasts all around the world.
Our Rich History
Willow Creek Olive Estate is nestled in the Nuy Valley, which lies at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountains. Located just outside of Worcester, the farm was initially used to cultivate a multitude of crops, including wine grapes, table grapes, wheat and vegetables for over two centuries. However, this all changed in 1997 when a dramatic drop in wine prices lead Willow Creek Olive Estate to diversify its farming operations. After discovering that the lime-rich soils and Mediterranean climate of the Nuy Valley offer an ideal terroir for olive cultivation, the estate set its sights on olive farming. The rest, as they say, is history.
Only ten hectares of olive trees were planted in 1999, but today the farm’s groves consist of 155 000 olive trees from eight cultivars spread out over 193 hectares of land. Not long after planting the first olive trees, Willow Creek Olive Estate produced its first award-winning oil in 2002.
Our Company Values
Willow Creek Olive Estate strives to be the preferred South African extra virgin olive oil brand by developing a diversified range of quality, ethical and trusted products that promote a healthy lifestyle. Our versatile range of premium olive-based products are constantly evolving to accommodate the culinary and sensory demands of consumers and connoisseurs alike.
Our People
In an effort to help alleviate unemployment in our community, as well as the abject poverty that goes hand-in-hand with this problem, we try to employ as many people as possible. We also keep unemployment in mind as we explore new ways of harvesting our olives. The olive industry is extremely labour intensive compared to other farming industries. In an effort to adhere to the values and commitment of our company’s social responsibility initiatives, we lean towards partnering with companies that share our values.
Making award-winning extra virgin olive oil is no easy feat. Our Willow Creek Olive Estate team has mastered their production process over years of research and practice. The farm’s success can be regarded as the end product of outstanding teamwork and raw, undiluted passion.
Goodness is in our nature!
Table Olives
WILLOW CREEK OLIVE ESTATE’S OLIVES ARE HAND-HARVESTED
Willow Creek Olive Estate aims to manage all internal business practices in a way that considers the interests of all stakeholders, the community and the environment. Therefore, our olives are harvested by hand, by raking the fruit from the individual branches. This ensures minimal damage to the olives and helps us to employ more people in the Worcester district, thereby easing the burden of unemployment in our local community.
The rate of olive picking is influenced by lots of factors, like the cultivar and the size of the tree. With that said, 60kg of olives on average can be harvested per adult on a daily basis with regards to table olives. Delicate handling is required when harvesting table olives seeing as damaged produce will not be readily accepted by processors.
Over 100kg of olives used for extra virgin olive oil production can be plucked per adult per day. All our olives are processed within 24 hours in order to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
By harvesting our olives right where we produce and store our products, we don’t have to store or transport our olives for extended periods of time, which accounts for our product range’s high quality.
Our Farm
Our farm is blessed with an abundance of good quality, crystal clear mountain water. This, combined with the fact that the olive trees enjoy meticulous attention from the estate’s dedicated team, ensures consistent quality and even ripening of the olives.
Our rich history
Willow Creek Olive Estate is nestled in the Nuy Valley, which lies at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountains. Located just outside of Worcester, the farm was initially used to cultivate a multitude of crops, including wine grapes, table grapes, wheat and vegetables for over two centuries.
However, this all changed in 1997 when a dramatic drop in wine prices lead Willow Creek Olive Estate to diversify its farming operations. After discovering that the lime-rich soils and Mediterranean climate of the Nuy Valley offer an ideal terroir for olive cultivation, the estate set its sights on olive farming. The rest, as they say, is history.
Only ten hectares of olive trees were planted in 1999, but today the farm’s groves consist of 155 000 olive trees from eight cultivars spread out over 193 hectares of land. Not long after planting the first olive trees, Willow Creek Olive Estate produced its first award-winning oil in 2002.
www.willowcreek.co.za
