For the many locals who have several olive trees in their garden, love olive oil, but realise that their crop would not be large enough to justify oil production, this day is for you.
The Central Otago Olive Growers Group (COOG) are holding a community pressing day on Queen’s Birthday long weekend, for the benefit of locals, and to increase interest in and appreciation of the trees which thrive in our Central Otago climate.
Make it a family outing, a shared activity, and a celebration.
Take a picnic, dress for the weather, bring safety glasses and gardening gloves, and get involved.
There will be hot soup and rolls, tea, coffee and cake for sale. You will have the chance to celebrate all over again when you take home your 250ml bottle of the Olio Nuovo (New Oil) on the day.
Wait until August, and you have cause for a third celebration, when you receive your extra virgin oil, given in proportion to the fruit you have supplied.
So, pick your own olives and bring them along.
Even if you have little or no olive trees, you can still get involved.
There are growers living close to the press who will have trees available for people to pick their own fruit.
All the olives will go into one large ‘Community Pressing’.
After racking and certification, your oil will be distributed to you.
The oil will even be entered in the national Olive Oil competition, so Otago may win gold again.
- When: Sunday 6 June. Fallback day Monday 7 June.
- Where: 125 Smiths Way, RD3, Cromwell
- Time: 10 am till 2 pm
- Cost: $20 per family or group
To register, email the COOG secretary with numbers to: jean.morgan@xtra.co.nz
