Olives - Nelson

Nelson caught the ‘Olive Bug’ in the mid 1990’s from neighbouring Marlborough where several olive varieties imported from Israel were planted in a trial block by Gidon and Triska Blumenfeld.  Gidon’s enthusiasm for growing olives struck a chord NZ wide triggering a pandemic of interest in things olive.  Our region is now home to 50 or so olive groves ranging in size from less than 100 trees up to 10,000 trees. Oil production in the region started in 2000 and has steadily increased since then as plantings have come into production.  Six olive presses operate during our harvest from late May until August.

Olive Growers Nelson, a regional group of the NZ wide Olive Association came into being on 3 May 1997.  The group was set up to provide a forum for local growers to get together to share knowledge and experience by hosting meetings and field days. Each year, Olive Growers Nelson arrange a variety of events for local growers from fact filled sessions on pruning to those whose sole purpose is to just to have fun.  We invite all growers to come along and take the opportunity to network and get to know what’s going on their region. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the committee on the sort of events you would like to see organised please get in touch with someone on the committee and we will see what we can do.

We have just had our 2009 AGM and our committee was re-elected for another term.

Frogs End   Photo: Peter Coubrough

Here is a list of producers who have sent a brief profile through on their grove to be included in this web page.  If you would like to be added please send through your information to Hilary.

Edens Paddock Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced on the fertile Waimea Plains of Nelson. We grow Leccino, Frantoio and Koroneiki olives. Paul and Christelle Dallimore have carefully blended Leccino and Frantoio varieties resulting in oil with balanced fruity flavours, green olive and freshly mown grass aromas with a hint of nutty sweetness.

Our Extra Virgin olive oil has been internationally recognised with gold awards 2 years running at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition. We have also gained awards in China and in New Zealand.  Judges have praised our oil for its    “outstanding taste, complexity and character”.

We supply olive oil to restaurants, supermarkets and delicatessens in Nelson as well as throughout New Zealand.

Edens Paddock Ltd
Edens Road, Hope
Nelson
Ph: 027 350 1474
Email: edens.paddock@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.edenspaddock.co.nz

Frog's End Estate Olive grove is owned by Nancy Macy and managed and operated Peter and Rae Coubrough. The grove has 1500 trees planted in a coastal location in a 6m x 6m grid on north facing slopes.  Main varieties are "Frantoio", "Leccino", "Koroneiki", "Picual", "Manzanillo" and "Pendolino".

First plantings in 1993 led to our first commercial production in 2000.  We consistently produce award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Frogs End Estate
160 Westdale Road
RDI, Richmond
NELSON 7081
Email: frogsend@ts.co.nz   
Lodge web:  www.oliveandthegoose.com

Twenty varieties of olive are grown organically by Hilary and Andrew Fenemor on sunny slopes overlooking the Waimea Plains, producing cold-pressed aromatic oils.  Taste the difference in our Award winning organic extra virgin olive oil.    The grove of 600 trees is certified with AsureQuality.

“Small is beautiful” (E.F.Schumacher)
89 Mt Heslington Road,
RD 1, Nelson 7091.
Email: mt.heslington @clear.net.nz

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