"Olive" weekend arrives
BY GEORGE GARDNER
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The annual Waiheke Olive Festival has claimed its own weekend.
The event, which in previous years has run alongside and supported the SeaLink Jassy Dean Trust Garden Safari, has grown so big organisers decided to put it on two weeks later on November 21 and 22.
The venue, Rangihoua Estate, will be fully focussed on olives during the two-day festival, and a touch of Greece, with olive wreaths and Greek goddesses, will add to the event.
Thirteen olive groves will provide their harvest of extra virgin olive oils for tastings and purchase.
The quality is high, as every oil Waiheke entered in the 2009 Olives New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards won a medal including several golds - a huge accolade for the island's boutique industry. As well as the oils, a variety of olives and olive products will feature.
The festival will also offer a wide range of food options, such as Dragon Fired Pizza, Beyond Pizza, lamb and beef pita breads, Te Matuku Oysters and Greek style souflaki.
For those with a sweet tooth, gelato will be on sale, and Island Coffee will be providing coffees for those who aren't drinking Baroona beer or wines from Kennedy Point Vineyard, Man O'War Vineyard and Poderi Crisci.
Musicians playing at the festival include The Waiheke Old Farts Orchestra, Briar Ross, The Red Herrings and The Buzz Bars.
Festival spokeswoman Geraldine McManus says the Waiheke Olive Festival remains one of the most popular artisan festivals on the island.
"It is a celebration of produce from the island and the high quality of extra virgin olive oil. The production is definitely something to be proud of and olive groves are becoming a feature of the island landscape.
"In a very short number of years Waiheke olive oils have won high acclaim around the world. The growers and producers are all passionate about their olive oil. You will notice this when you come to the festival and talk with them.
Anne Stanimiroff from Rangihoua Estate says she is hoping for some fine weather.
"If it's looking good, bring a blanket to enjoy the music on the lawn, but if not we will be set up in the Press room with all the usual trimmings."
- Waiheke Marketplace
