Bay entries praised

Most of those who headed for California for the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition wouldn't have heard of Doubtless Bay. But they will now.

Mangonui olive oil co-operative Ocean View Olive Estate won two silver awards, and olive grower Julie Mays couldn't be happier.

"I had my fingers crossed. We are all very happy and very proud," she said.

Their Frantoio blend and lemon-infused Frantoio blend won silver in the Southern Hemisphere robust and infused categories respectively, beating some 450 other entries from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and elsewhere.

It was the first time Ocean View had entered any competition, "and it was a lovely surprise when I went to the mailbox," she said.

The lemon-infused oil was the company's best seller.

"I think people are becoming more educated in what is good and not so good oil, and flavour is a big part of it," Julie added.

"We source our lemons from Kerikeri and they go in the press with the olives. To get the right flavour for the olives it's all about picking - not too early and not too late. It's all in the pressing and how the olives are harvested."

The process had been a learning curve for most of the olive growers. Every season was different and it is always challenging, but very enjoyable.

"It's a lovely lifestyle and we feel lucky to be here," she said.

She had moved north from Auckland in 2003, for the lifestyle, and had had nothing to do with olives.

The company was founded in 2005 and has about 15 groves contributing to the annual harvest, the oil finding ready buyers at the Four Square stores at Mangonui and Cooper's Beach, and at Pak 'n Save in Kaitaia and in Kerikeri. The group will also begin hosting tasting sessions on the last Saturday of each month, starting this Saturday, at the pressing house on Midgely Road, south of Mangonui.

Julie also acknowledged the decision and skill of the pressing team, Frank Fischauf and Martyn Wells.