Olives New Zealand

Old French Road

Old French Road olive grove is known by the locals and visitors alike as ‘the Gateway to Akaroa’.  First planted on this picturesque property in 2000, the olive trees are nestled in a 20 acre  valley with fresh water springs, ponds and native woods overlooking the Takamatua Bay.

Old French Road has been consistently awarded medals in every competition entered.

Home of the NZ EVOO Awards Best in Show 2009, 2010 Best Olive Oil – Grill Magazine, 2011 Best in Class in two categories, as well as other Gold and Silver Awards. In 2014 we won Best Boutique award for our Blend and also two Gold awards for the Intense Blend and  Single Variety Frantoia.  Both of these were awarded Best in Class as well! Following on in 2015 and 2016 with Gold and Best in Class awards, Gold in 2017, two Silvers in 2018 and then in again 2019 taking Gold, Best in Class and Best Boutique. In 2017 we were awarded Gold Medal at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition. Most recently Old French Road was awarded Gold Medal at the 2020 New York International Olive Oil Competition!

We also produce scrumptious table olives. Our products are used by discerning chefs and are available online and at selected retailers.

Robinsons Bay, Akaroa

AWARD WINNING OLIVE OILS & OLIVES

Robinsons Bay Extra Virgin Olive Oil was judged to be “New Zealand’s Best” at The New Zealand Olive Oil Awards in 2012,2013,2015 & 2016 and Gold Medals in 2017 & 2018. Also in 2017, we won Gold at the prestigious New York Olive Oil Awards where over 900 entries from 27 countries competed.

We also produce a wide range of infused olive oils that will take your culinary skills to the next level: 

• Mandarin & Lemon
• Orange & Chilli
• Rosemary & Garlic
• Garlic
• Basil
• Fennel

All our oils are available in 250ml & 500ml bottles and in 1lt & 5lt tins

We also produce Traditional Table Olives which are hand picked from our grove and then naturally processed for that real olive flavor.

Check us out on Facebook    @robinsonsbayolives

Tuscan Downs

Situated 40 km north of Christchurch city, Tuscan Downs is a 12 hectare property situated in Ashley Downs, North Canterbury. The 400 olive tree grove produces Frantoio olives, a varietal which originated in Tuscany Italy. Frantoio Olive Oil is one of the most highly acclaimed oil varieties in the world because of its fruity flavour with a slightly bitter aftertaste and a clear final spiciness.

The olive grove was planted some 20 odd years ago but was neglected until, in 2019, Ian Warren and his partner Karen Thompson acquired the property for another business. By this time the grove was in a terrible state of neglect with many of the trees dead or dying. The couple thought it was a pity to let so many olive trees go to waste and decided to nurse the grove back to life. Ian has spent many hours lovingly tending the trees and they have responded with an abundance of fruit. The couple are now working towards the grove becoming certified as organic.

Tuscan Down’s olive harvest will begin in June 2020 with oil being extracted within 24 hours of picking in order to retain oil purity and integrity. Due to the cooler climate and risk of frosts, the growing season in North Canterbury is shorter which means fruit has to be picked relatively unripe. This results in a strong tasting oil with a rich complexity, high oxidative stability and freshness which is similar to the world’s best Tuscan olive oils.

Waipara Groves

Waipara Groves stemmed from us planting olives on our farm, Bel Hamed, at the beginning of 1996 – about 1100 trees.  It was a pioneer grove with 10 different varieties planted to see what would do well in our very hot, dry climate – a microclimate if you like. 

This coupled with our very light, shingly and free draining soils and prevailing north west winds along with cold nights led to production of well flavoured pungent oils consistent medal winners at the New Zealand Olive Oil awards. 

Varieties grown consist of Barnea, Manzillo, Koroneiki with the Tuscan varieties Pendolino, Leccino and Frantoio and Picual (our Gold Medal Winner!).  We sell the oil in 250ml and 500ml bottles and in 2 litre cardboard casks – the oil contained in bladders with a tap making the oil completely air tight and long lasting.

They are all beautiful on salads, pastas and vegetables as well as for dipping. 

To order phone Sally and Malcolm McKenzie.  We look forward to you enjoying our oil!