Enthusiastic olive growers in Central Otago have marked Saturday May 17 as the date when their careful pruning, watering, fertilising and harvesting will seem worthwhile.

Approximately 30 growers, who have anywhere between five and 50 trees on their properties, will bring up to 300 kilograms of freshly picked olives to a Community Press Day.

Growers will see the olive press in action and be rewarded with low-cost 250ml bottles of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) proportional to the weight of their olives that go through the press.

On the day they’ll be able to watch the olive pressing as hosts Steve and Olivia Morris of Olive Press Central Otago supervise the crushing of the harvested olives. 

The Community Press Day will take place on Saturday May 17, from 10.30am to 2pm, at 125 Smiths Way, Pisa, Cromwell.

Registrations can be made to COOG.

The cost for the day is $20 for COOG members or $40 for non-members.