PROFILE RIO LARGO
Your story matters
NICK AND BRENDA WILKINSON
From health-conscious living to olive oil excellence, Rio Largo’ s journey began with Nick and Brenda Wilkinson’ s passion project.
When Nick Wilkinson’ s doctor advised him to incorporate more olive oil into his diet to lower cholesterol and manage blood pressure, he and his wife, Brenda, decided to delve into the health benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil( EVOO). Having studied olive farming since 1997, Nick saw an opportunity to transform a health-conscious lifestyle choice into their entire way of life and a thriving business, crafting exceptional olive oil while uplifting local agriculture and communities.
In 2010, Nick and Brenda Wilkinson purchased Rio Largo Olive Estate from Carlos Raposa, a proud Portuguese man. He named the estate Rio Largo, which means“ wide river” in Portuguese, honouring the Breede River that flows through the Scherpenheuwel Valley and serves as a vital source of irrigation for the region. His surname, Raposa, means“ fox” in Portuguese, inspiring the estate’ s iconic red fox logo, which symbolises his roots and deep connection to nature.
The founders’ journey
Before embarking on this new chapter, Nick and Brenda spent two decades in Central Africa under contract with largescale international corporate agribusinesses. As a Chartered Accountant( CA), Nick headed up change management teams to restructure and repurpose large-scale agricultural operations, involving production and processing of tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, broad-acre grain, livestock, tobacco, and cotton in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Brenda, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur, shared his passion for community development and innovation. Their move into olive oil, however, was deeply personal. From the start, Nick and Brenda envisioned Rio Largo as more than just a farm – it was to become a family. This ethos is exemplified in the story of Jonathan Prins.
Jonathan began as a farm worker and rose to Production
Foreman through his talent and dedication. Recognised for his calm demeanour, meticulous standards, and mechanical expertise, Jonathan plays a pivotal role in maintaining Rio Largo’ s quality, particularly during the critical harvest season. Nick and Jonathan work together, with Nick directing operations and Jonathan providing invaluable support.
The estate’ s people are truly at the heart of its success. Every team member is valued for their role in the production process, from soil to table. Rio Largo prioritises worker wellbeing through initiatives like mental health support, regular dental and vision care, and wellness programmes. One heartwarming story is that of Sam, who briefly left the estate in 2014 to support her husband in a new venture. She later returned to Rio Largo, drawn back by the excitement and camaraderie she had missed. Today, Sam is the glue that holds the team together, embodying the spirit of celebration that defines Rio Largo.
Awards and recognition
Rio Largo’ s EVOO consistently receives local and international acclaim, earning recognition in prestigious awards such as the Absa Top 10 Olive Awards and SA Olive Awards, as well as global recognition in New York, Japan, Italy, Amsterdam, and the UAE. As one of South Africa’ s most consistent award winners, Rio Largo set the standard in 2010 with a double gold award and has continued to excel ever since.
When you purchase a bottle of Rio Largo EVOO, savour its rich, delicious flavour and remember the incredible team behind it, because their story truly matters. The fox emblem, although unconventional for an olive estate, reflects the brand’ s unique character and heritage. While many estates have imitated this concept, Brenda emphasises,“ If there’ s no fox on the label, it’ s not Rio Largo.” ■
50 SA PROFILE www. saprofilemagazine. co. za