Het Vlock Casteel

Het Vlock Casteel is a family-owned estate situated at the foot of Kasteelberg in the beautiful Riebeek Kasteel village in the Swartland. The property, known as Môrester Farm, has been in the Vlok family for over 60 years, with patriarch Attie Vlok establishing a lasting agricultural legacy. Second-generation farmer and winemaker Johan Vlok uses biodynamic-equilibrium farming methods, while his wife Ansie, a food scientist, is an olive and preserve specialist. Their son Adriaan continues the family tradition in winemaking. The castle-like building, modeled on Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope as tribute to Dutch roots, opened in 2008 and houses an extensive farm deli and tasting room. What started as Ansie’s cottage industry in the 1980s has grown into a foodie wonderland stocking over 200 handmade products. The estate is famous for its olives and olive products – preserved and dried olives, olive oils, tapenades, and dukkah – all from olives picked and processed on Môrester Farm. Beyond olives, the shop offers an astounding array: jams, chutneys, ice cream sauces, preserves, waterblommetjie and fig preserves, pomegranate toppings, health rusks made with olive oil, raisins, Kaapsejongens (grapes in brandy), chilli sauces, and balsamic vinegar. The estate also bottles wines under its own label including Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The property includes a sought-after wedding venue with medieval castle atmosphere, and Café Merlot restaurant. Tastings are complimentary, and the estate has become a must-visit destination on the Swartland Wine and Olive Route.