Olive Oil and Olives

Our olive grove consists mainly of the varieties leccino, frantoio and picual, with a few trees of other varieties thrown in for good measure. To augment the fruit from our orchard we have again spent time picking the trees planted alongside the road in parts of Papamoa. The interest and welcome from Papamoa locals has been encouraging.

The olives are generally harvested in late April, early May. The trees are picked using both hand-held mechanical harvesters and traditional rakes which “comb” the fruit from the trees. We press the olives within 24 hours of picking to reduce any possibility of spoilage.

2023 has been another difficult year for olive growers in the Bay of Plenty, with heavy rains during a bumper flowering leading to a very poor fruit set. Continuing wet weather has also been a problem here, as in many other regions of New Zealand. These conditions have given us oils with relatively low polyphenol counts, but the oils are sound and attractive, and have been certified as “extra virgin”.

Once again we must thank George Fegali for his interest and advice on blending.

We have continued to have enthusiastic responses to our flavoured oils and are again offering both garlic and basil and lemon and fennel flavoured oils. The low fruit volume means we have not been able to pusue our agrumato “experiments” this year.

1st Press Olive Oil 2023 Harvest

Both our oils are certified as “extra virgin”.

2023 The Blend – SOLD OUT

Made using fruit exclusively from our home grove. This mild oil is very soft and fruity, has a pleasant mouthfeel, and displays good persistence. Very limited stock.

2023 Street – silver medal winner!

Made from fruit harvested in the streetsof Papamoa – almost entirely a clone of frantoio. This harmonious and complex oil displays excellent fruit characteristics and a little pungency.

Prices: 250ml $17.00, 500ml $30.00

We are now pressing our own olive oil. More...

Garlic and Basil flavoured Olive Oil

Garlic and basil essential oils have been added to new season's oil to create the perfect dressing for ripe summer tomatoes, to flavour bread for croutons, and to drizzle over roasted vegetable salads.

Available in 250ml bottles only. Price: $17.00.

2023 Lemon and Fennel flavoured Olive Oil – silver medal winner!

Lemon and sweet fennel essential oils have been added to new season's oil to create a lovely delicate seasoning for lightly steamed vegetables and for plainly grilled fish or chicken.

Available in 250ml bottles only. Price: $17.00.

Table Olives

We keep some of our riper and largest olives to process for the table. They are fermented in a salt solution and then stored in a brine to which we add lemon and garlic. They are flavoursome, not overly salty, and have a good firm texture.
Packaged in a 285ml glass jar, 160g net weight olives.
Price: $8.00

Olive Paste

We blend our table olives with olive oil, homegrown garlic and fresh herbs to make a flavour filled paste. A tapenade without the anchovies and capers. Wonderful spread on bread, toast or biscuits and topped with tomato. A tasty addition to a pizza or pasta, and good served alongside simply cooked fish or chicken. Please note this product should be refrigerated.
Packaged in a 110ml glass jar. Net weight 95g.
Price: $10.00

Macadamia Dukkah

At last we have managed to beat our pigs to the macadamias! This is a traditional dukkah recipe - sesame, coriander, fennel, a little cumin, salt and pepper - great for a pre dinner dip with fresh bread and our olive oil. We have also been enjoying it as a light coating on tuna fillets before they are cooked. If you enjoy spicy flavours consider adding a few chilli flakes to the mix.
Packaged in screw topped clear 105ml glass jars - minimum net weight 50g.
Price $6.00