The town itself has an interesting origin as it was named after Governor Jan van Riebeeck and the Kasteelberg Mountain (named after the Governor and his Cape castle). Van Riebeeck (note the different spelling from the town name) firmly believed that Monomotapa, the city of gold existed and in 1661 he sent out his second expedition in search of said gold. Led by Corporal Pieter Cruythoff and surgeon Pieter van Meerhoff they set off in the direction of Paardeberg. On 3 February 1661 they ascended the lonely Kasteelberg Mountain and came upon a fertile vista, which they named Riebeek Kasteel, in honour of their Cape Governor.
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 (quagga), 5 rhinoceros and thousands of hartebeeste."
Some time later, Governor Willem van der Stel offered land in the area to colonists, and the farms Allesverloren and Kloovenberg were established. Among the first farmers were the Huguenots, who planted the first vineyards in the region and 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, which results in low yield, but high quality. The Valley is particularly well-known for world beating Shiraz, Chardonnay and Port. Artisans including wagon makers joined the farming community in Riebeek Kasteel, while retired farmers settled in grander houses four kilometres away in Riebeek West.
A Dutch Reformed Church was established in Malmesbury in 1745 and villagers trekked from the Riebeek Valley for communion, which was celebrated four times a year. In spite of the difficulties encountered in getting to church, it was not until the 1850's that the community agreed to build a church in Riebeek Kasteel. However, halfway through the project the wealthier residents of Riebeek West withdrew their support and built another church four kilometres down the road. This Riebeek West church opened in 1858 (3 years after the Riebeek Kasteel church), but had the first active congregation since a dominee was immediately appointed . One did not arrive in Riebeek Kasteel until 1881, due to lack of money. This event created a rift between the villages and there is still a feeling of (now friendly) rivalry to this day.
During the early 1900's the town was laid out in and around its existing church and its neighbour the Royal Hotel, the oldest hotel in South Africa. The Valley eventually developed and today it houses more or less 10000 residents, including some of South Africa's most famous painters, attracted by the picturesque surroundings of the valley, and is especially popular amongst visitors for that esthetical beauty and rural atmosphere.
Olive farming in the Valley was started by Springbok rugby legend, Piet Spiere du Toit at Kloovenburg. Over the years others have followed his lead and today the Valley is home to several award-winning olive oil producers. The Olive Festival is hosted annually in Autumn (normally the first weekend in May).
Owing to a pleasant Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild and pleasant winters, Riebeek Valley is ideal to visit at any time of the year. The Kasteelberg is 974m high and has unique flora with a mix of Sandveld (as found nearer the West Coast) and Table Mountain fynbos.
The Riebeek Valley essentially offers a place of relaxation, a place where one can enjoy the countryside at one's own pace. It is the epitome of country life ~ breathing in fresh, green air and rejuvenating the body and soul, coupled with excellent accommodation options, active or relaxing activities and restaurants that cater for a variety of tastes and preferences.
The town also serves as a residential settlement, for Paarl, Malmesbury and even the Cape Metropole. Riebeek Kasteel is often referred as "the best kept secret of the Western Cape" and property agents are calling it 'the new Franschhoek'. |
