Harvesting the olives this year has been very different from the previous ten years. Firstly, the season started late because the fruit wasn't ripe enough at the normal start time at the beginning of April. So we delayed the first pick a week but when we milled the olives the oil yield was very low. So we waited another week and then got underway.

The whole season has been strange because May was the hottest on record since NIWA stated keeping records in 1909 and yet the olives have never really ripened like they normally do. At the end of May we are still having to pick fruit that isn't really ready. So the oil yields are very low but the oil tastes nice. We are still picking mid-way through June!

We expect to finish picking this coming week and will be concentrating on racking and filtering and getting the finished oil tested, certified at the laboratory in Melbourne, and ready for the Los Angeles competition and for offering to our customers. The mill will be closed down after next weekend, June 26th.

2016 oils will be released during July.