Fantail Grove hands olive branch to new owners

EXTENDING THE BRANCH: Lisa Birrell (left), new owner of Fantail Grove, daughters Georgina, 11, and Lexie, 6, and outgoing owner Margot MacGillivray, meet Liz Warren, owner of Heaven Scent Florist.

After almost 20 years of olive oil, hazelnut trees and bumper crops of horseradish, the team behind Greytown's Fantail Grove are passing the torch.

Margot MacGillivray and Richard Schofield, who have owned and managed the 25ha olive grove on Bidwills Cutting Rd since 2000, sold the business at the end of April, with new owners Lisa and Gavin Birrell taking ownership this week.

The Birrells, originally from the UK, will relocate from Wellington with their two daughters and will take over the business full-time from July.

Margot, who put Fantail Grove on the market in October, said she and Richard have "absolutely loved" their time as olive growers, but are seeking newer pastures -- as she admits she has "a 16-year attention span".

Lisa and Gavin, however, had spent the same amount of time planning a move to New Zealand, and considered Fantail Grove the ideal setting for "the Kiwi dream" -- open spaces, living off the land, and quality extra virgin oil.

"It's time for someone with new enthusiasm to take Fantail Grove to the next level," Margot said. "Lisa is that person -- she's got loads of energy and new ideas, and we look forward to seeing what she does. As for us -- watch this space."

Margot and Richard bought the grove around the time when olives and boutique growing operations were very popular.

"We were sick of being wage slaves -- so we thought 'let's make some money and make our own olive oil,'" Margot said.

"We were entranced by the romance of the olive."

The couple planted 800 olive trees on their new property, organising a "planting party" with friends.

They had their first commercial harvest in 2006, and began producing Frantoio, Leccino, Barnea and Picual extra virgin olive oils. Later, they began growing hazelnuts and selling nut-based pestos and spreads, as well as harvesting and selling the horseradish which "took over the garden".

Lisa and Gavin are not new to art of growing: arriving in New Zealand -- a move 15 years in the planning -- they planted almond trees on their property in Matakana.

They relocated to Wellington last year, and discovered Fantail Grove on a trip to Greytown.

"We came over wanting a quieter, simpler life with lots of space for our children that we didn't have in the UK," Lisa said.

"It was perfect -- the Kiwi dream."

Lisa said she has several plans for Fantail Grove, such as running it as an organic operation -- using sheep to help control weeds, organic copper compounds to prevent peacock spot disease, and organic pesticides.

She also hopes to expand its product line, and sell organic, free-range eggs.

"Margot and Richard have been farming sustainably for years, so we'll carry on where they left off.

"We're passionate about sustainability, and love the idea of not just running a business but living off the land as well."