Faversham Olive Grove

Faversham Olive Grove, established in Marlborough’s Omaka Valley, produces small-batch extra virgin olive oil using traditional methods. Situated on a sun-drenched, clay hillside, the grove cultivates Leccino, Frantoio, and Pendolino olive trees without irrigation or chemical sprays, relying on natural rainfall and sheep grazing for fertilisation. Harvesting occurs by hand in June, with olives pressed locally within 48 hours to ensure freshness. The oil is stored in stainless steel tanks before manual bottling, retaining unfiltered sediment for texture and flavour. Sustainability drives practices, from dryland farming to minimal intervention during production. Recognised for quality, the oil earned Silver Medals annually at the Olives NZ Awards from 2017, upgrading to Gold in 2022. Limited annual yields are due to environmental conditions. The resulting oil, influenced by Marlborough’s terroir, is noted for its full-bodied character.