Shades of Provence Guest House, Riebeek-Kasteel

shades of provence


	More about the Riebeek Valley Riebeek Kasteel is about 45 min. drive from Cape Town and is one of the little gems of the Western Cape. It nestles on the slopes of Kasteelberg and is surrounded by rolling wheat fields, olive trees and vineyards. It reminds so much of the south of France and Tuscany: the same landscape, colours, Van Gogh wheat fields, olive groves and vineyards and the same gastronomic highlights. But it has its own unique charm: the stunning scenery, the climate (very hot, dry summers and fireplace weather in winter), the laid back atmosphere and interesting mix of friendly people together with a diverse selection of locally produced wine and port, olives, fresh fruit and meat. Nearing this quaint little town, you will be enchanted by the Shiraz vineyards and olive groves. Olive farming in the Valley was started by Springbok rugby legend, Piet Spiere du Toit at Kloovenburg. Over the years others (like Het Vlock Kasteel ) have followed his lead and today the Valley is known for its olives. The Olive Festival is every year in Autumn (normally the first weekend in May). Many folk in the village grow their own olives. Shades of Provence has got 25 olive trees and you will be invited to come and pick your own olives during harvest time. Some of the oldest wine farms in the country are found on the slopes of the Kasteelberg. A large proportion of the harvest is grown without irrigation. This produces low yield and high quality. The Valley is particularly well-known for world beating Shiraz, Chardonnay and Port. You can buy wine direct from Kloovenburg, Allesverloren, Riebeek Cellars, Pulpit Rock and Meerhoff. You will fall in love with the Valley once you drive over Bothmas Pass with the Valley lying at your feet. Entering the town , you will get a few pleasant surprises, like the Springbokkies in the heart of town. The town has a nice buzz with cute little shops and restaurants. A visit to Garden Bleu with its fine French and Victorian garden furniture is compulsory. Be sure not to miss the little square next to Kasteelberg Bistro. Visit the little shops and drink a smoothie at the deli, Crisp. The Stoned Olive building is also worth a visit. Riebeek Kasteel is a haven for artists, quilters, metal workers, beaders, candle makers, decoupagers, goldsmiths, jewellers and photographers. Some of the artists like Hannetjie de Clerq and Robin Mann, are known throughout South Africa. There is a permanent art exhibition in the Stoned Olive building and periodic exhibitions at Cape Francolin, the Art Orchard, De Oude Schuur and Orange Mill. Lovers of antiques, collectables and recycled junk will enjoy visiting Kasteelberg Trading Centre, Cape Francolin and Sacred Geometry. Those interested in history can trace the footsteps of Jan Smuts and DF Malan, two of our former Statesmen who were born here. In 1870 politician, field marshal and philosopher, Jan Smuts, was born on the farm, Ongegund. A barn on the farm was converted into a house when Jan Smuts' parents were married. This barn still exists but the farmhouse has gone. The site is now owned by PPC and the house is a museum open to the public. In 1874, South Africa's prime minister, DF Malan, was born at Allesverloren. The farm is still owned by the Malan family and is world known for its port. The town itself has got an interesting history. Governor Jan van Riebeeck (note that the spelling is different from the name) firmly believed that Monomotapa, the city of gold, exists. The second expedition he sent out in search of gold were led by Pieter Cruythoff and Pieter Meerhoff (these two names exist today in the name of the farm, Meerhoff, and the name of a street and a champagne, Pieter Cruythoff). Pieter Meerhoff is also important for the history of the Afrikaners, as he was married to the Khoi woman, Eva Krotoa, and they are the ancestral parents of a substantial percentage of Afrikaners. They did not find gold, but discovered the little gem today known as the Riebeek Valley. Meerhoff wrote in his diary: "... we came in the lovely valley east of the Riebeeck's Kasteel, where we rested. The same day we saw 13 horses (actually quagga), 5 rhinoceros and thousands of hartebeeste." In 2006 leopards were seen on Kasteelberg, but hikers should not be scared as they are nocturnal animals. For those interested, there is a leopard breeding program at Bartholomeus Klip.

More about the Riebeek Valley

Riebeek Kasteel is about 45 min. drive from Cape Town and is one of the little gems of the Western Cape. It nestles on the slopes of Kasteelberg and is surrounded by rolling wheat fields, olive trees and vineyards. It reminds so much of the south of France and Tuscany: the same landscape, colours, Van Gogh wheat fields, olive groves and vineyards and the same gastronomic highlights. But it has its own unique charm: the stunning scenery, the climate (very hot, dry summers and fireplace weather in winter), the laid back atmosphere and interesting mix of friendly people together with a diverse selection of locally produced wine and port, olives, fresh fruit and meat.

Nearing this quaint little town, you will be enchanted by the Shiraz vineyards and olive groves.

Olive farming in the Valley was started by Springbok rugby legend, Piet Spiere du Toit at Kloovenburg. Over the years others (like Het Vlock Kasteel ) have followed his lead and today the Valley is known for its olives. The Olive Festival is every year in Autumn (normally the first weekend in May). Many folk in the village grow their own olives. Shades of Provence has got 25 olive trees and you will be invited to come and pick your own olives during harvest time.

Some of the oldest wine farms in the country are found on the slopes of the Kasteelberg. A large proportion of the harvest is grown without irrigation. This produces low yield and high quality. The Valley is particularly well-known for world beating Shiraz, Chardonnay and Port. You can buy wine direct from Kloovenburg, Allesverloren, Riebeek Cellars, Pulpit Rock and Meerhoff.

You will fall in love with the Valley once you drive over Bothmas Pass with the Valley lying at your feet. Entering the town , you will get a few pleasant surprises, like the Springbokkies in the heart of town.

The town has a nice buzz with cute little shops and restaurants. A visit to Garden Bleu with its fine French and Victorian garden furniture is compulsory. Be sure not to miss the little square next to Kasteelberg Bistro. Visit the little shops and drink a smoothie at the deli, Crisp. The Stoned Olive building is also worth a visit.

Riebeek Kasteel is a haven for artists, quilters, metal workers, beaders, candle makers, decoupagers, goldsmiths, jewellers and photographers. Some of the artists like Hannetjie de Clerq and Robin Mann, are known throughout South Africa. There is a permanent art exhibition in the Stoned Olive building and periodic exhibitions at Cape Francolin, the Art Orchard, De Oude Schuur and Orange Mill. Lovers of antiques, collectables and recycled junk will enjoy visiting Kasteelberg Trading Centre, Cape Francolin and Sacred Geometry.

Those interested in history can trace the footsteps of Jan Smuts and DF Malan, two of our former Statesmen who were born here. In 1870 politician, field marshal and philosopher, Jan Smuts, was born on the farm, Ongegund. A barn on the farm was converted into a house when Jan Smuts' parents were married. This barn still exists but the farmhouse has gone. The site is now owned by PPC and the house is a museum open to the public. In 1874, South Africa's prime minister, DF Malan, was born at Allesverloren. The farm is still owned by the Malan family and is world known for its port.

The town itself has got an interesting history. Governor Jan van Riebeeck (note that the spelling is different from the name) firmly believed that Monomotapa, the city of gold, exists. The second expedition he sent out in search of gold were led by Pieter Cruythoff and Pieter Meerhoff (these two names exist today in the name of the farm, Meerhoff, and the name of a street and a champagne, Pieter Cruythoff). Pieter Meerhoff is also important for the history of the Afrikaners, as he was married to the Khoi woman, Eva Krotoa, and they are the ancestral parents of a substantial percentage of Afrikaners.

They did not find gold, but discovered the little gem today known as the Riebeek Valley. Meerhoff wrote in his diary: "... we came in the lovely valley east of the Riebeeck's Kasteel, where we rested. The same day we saw 13 horses (actually quagga), 5 rhinoceros and thousands of hartebeeste."

In 2006 leopards were seen on Kasteelberg, but hikers should not be scared as they are nocturnal animals. For those interested, there is a leopard breeding program at Bartholomeus Klip.