And try these olive oils and other tasty treats ...
At Olivo, just past the Martinborough golf course, the charming Helen Meehan will tutor you through a tasting of her internationally-renowned oils: learn how to use olive oil to take food to new heights and tour the working olive grove.
To find other Martinborough olive producers open for tastings, nab an official Wairarapa visitors’ guide from a visitor centre in Masterton or Martinborough, and turn to page 20 for the map.
Look for these olive producers in local delis and supermarkets:
- Leafyridge Olives of Masterton produces oil on 12 hectares from some 3650 trees comprising varieties from Italy (Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino), France (Picholene) and Spain (Manzanillo, Picual). In 2006 Leafyridge won two gold medals at the NZ Olive Oil Awards and at the 2008 Olives New Zealand Awards won three silvers and a bronze.
- River Grove Olives lies on the banks of the Ruamahanga River in Landsdowne at the northern end of Masterton. The grove takes up seven hectares with around 1700 trees, most of which are coming up to seven years old. River Grove won medals at this year's Olives New Zealand Awards: gold for the River Grove Frantoio and silver for the River Grove Leccino.
- Martinborough Manner produces jams, pickles and chutneys just like Grandma used to make. Situated on Cromarty Drive, just behind the Martinborough Golf Course, they welcome visitors for morning and afternoon teas, mini tours of their nearly self sustaining property complete with chickens,tame cattle and sheep and the chance to watch them create their products in their commercial kitchen. And you can purchase delicious products to take home!