Ever tasted an apple that predates supermarkets, export cartons and glossy branding? At the end of February, members of the public are invited to step into a living archive of South Africa’s fruit history when Tru-Cape opens the gates to its Heritage Orchard in Grabouw.
Hidden within Oak Valley Estate, this remarkable orchard is home to apple and pear varieties that have nearly vanished from modern farming — names like Newton Apple, Northern Spy, Pomme de Neige and the famously fragrant Cox Orange Pippin. These are fruits with stories, shaped by centuries of travel, trade and changing tastes.
On Saturday, 28 February, visitors will have the rare opportunity to walk among these historic trees, learn their stories and even taste fruit that few South Africans alive today have experienced.
A Living Museum You Can Taste
The Heritage Orchard is not a museum of labels and glass cases. It is a working collection of rare cultivars, carefully conserved to protect both their genetics and their heritage. Many of these apples and pears once played an important role in the early Cape fruit industry before being replaced by modern commercial varieties bred for yield and shelf life.
During the guided walk, visitors will encounter varieties such as Witte Wijnappel, Badappel, Kroonappel and old Koo cultivars — apples that once filled farm orchards and family kitchens, now largely forgotten.
For many guests, the highlight is tasting the fruit. Flavours vary widely: some apples are sharply acidic, others richly sweet or delicately perfumed — a reminder that apples were never meant to taste all the same.
Stories from the Experts
The free tour will be hosted by Tru-Cape’s Quality Assurance Manager, Henk Griessel, alongside varietal specialists Buks Nel and Jeanne Fourie. Drawing on years of research and hands-on experience, they will share how these varieties arrived at the Cape, how they were grown and why they matter today.
Griessel and Nel are also co-authors of several books on the history of apples and pears at the Cape, and their storytelling brings depth and personality to the orchard experience. Copies of the featured books will be available for purchase at the event.
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
While the orchard celebrates history, its purpose is firmly rooted in the future. Preserving old cultivars helps protect genetic diversity — a vital resource for future fruit breeding and innovation.
Tru-Cape’s commitment to fruit heritage extends beyond Grabouw. In partnership with Hortgro, the company replanted the historic Witte Wijnappel — the first apple recorded at the Cape — at its original site in the Company’s Garden in 2019, as well as at Oak Valley Estate and Babylonstoren.
Plan Your Visit
The guided walk runs from 10h00 to 12h00 and is free to attend, though booking via Quicket is required. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun and weather protection. Please use the restrooms at the gate when entering Oak Valley Estate. Coffee and books will be available for purchase at the orchard.
For anyone curious about food history, farming heritage or simply the joy of tasting something rare, this is a weekend experience that promises both flavour and story — straight from the roots of South Africa’s fruit legacy.
