Farms
Diverse Excellence in Global Fruit Cultivation
The Ceres Valley, named after the Roman goddess of fertility, is renowned for producing some of the highest quality fruit globally. Our original farm and packhouse, located near Prince Alfred Hamlet in the Ceres Valley, approximately 160 km northeast of Cape Town, cultivates top fruit, stone fruit, recently added cherries and vine grapes, dedicated for De Grendel.
Romansrivier, situated near Wolseley in the Breede River Valley, focuses on stone fruit production under nets. Rietfontein, in the Koue Bokkeveld region near Op-die-Berg, is dedicated to the cultivation of top fruit, stone fruit, and onions.
With our production units at 300m (Romansrivier), 550m (Lushof), and 900m (Rietfontein) above sea level, we benefit from significant climate and chill unit level variations. This allows us to grow a diverse range of varieties in conditions best suited to each, considering local variables like soil type and slope direction.
The varying altitudes enable us to produce cherries where it snows in winter and early peaches and nectarines where there is no spring frost. Graaff Fruit has been a pioneer in utilising the local high-chill climate for over a decade, producing new peach, nectarine, and plum varieties ideally suited to these conditions. These include Bradford, PSB, Zaiger, and Sunworld varieties, which we proudly declare as superior to previous varieties grown in the area.
LUSHOF
Lushof Farm marks the inception of Graaff Fruit. Acquired by Dawie Graaff in 1968, it became the family’s agricultural cornerstone. In 1997, Robert Graaff, the inaugural resident of the farm, initiated farming operations, expanding the cultivated area from 80ha to 175ha. Situated in the Warm Bokkeveld area near Prince Alfred Hamlet, Lushof benefits from a medium-chill climate with elevated summer temperatures, ensuring optimal sugar levels. The farm relies on mountain runoff and local irrigation schemes for water supply.
Under the skilled direction of Danie Viljoen and his team, Lushof Farm yields an array of fruits, including cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, and apples.
ROMANSRIVIER
Nestled in the Wolseley Valley, Romansrivier experiences a milder climate than Lushof but contends with persistent winds. To counter this climatic challenge, we shield our fruit trees under nets, safeguarding them from potential wind damage. Taking advantage of the elevated position of our storage dam relative to our orchards, we implement gravitational flow irrigation, ensuring an exceptionally low carbon footprint.
We take pride in our Romansrivier nature reserve, a collaborative effort with CapeNature. Seeds from plant species thriving in the reserve have been dispatched to the Millennium Seed Bank in the UK. Pierre de Wet oversees the management of this unit, which specialises in producing Graaff Fruit’s earliest stone fruit.
RIETFONTEIN
Acquired in 2012, Rietfontein is a vast farm located in the Golden Triangle of the Koue Bokkeveld, 50km north of Ceres. This acquisition substantially augmented Graaff Fruit’s apple portfolio. The region boasts exceptionally high winter chill units and experiences mild summers.
Abundant water resources further characterize the farm. Christi van den Heever oversees the management of this unit, and Rietfontein still presents significant opportunities for expansion.
Op-die-Berg Appellation
The Witzenberg mountains, standing almost a kilometre above sea level, have been acknowledged for providing an ideal cold climate, allowing grapes to mature longer—an optimal condition for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The “Op die Berg” range includes Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay hails from the newly-established Ceres Plateau appellation, and it is available for tasting and purchase at De Grendel Estate.