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For Villa Grove Estate of Nelson New Zealand, producing award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been a process of experimentation, elimination and innovation.
Early 1990's , in true pioneering spirit, Phil and Rachel Costello gradually converted their farm in Wakefield just out of Nelson, into a boutique olive plantation. As little was known about suitable olive varieties in New Zealand at that time, the Costello's decided on Frantoio and Leccino from Tuscany which came up trumps producing good yields form just 4 years onwards. They have recently planted Koroneiki from Greece.
After just a few short years Villa Grove Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil is in demand for its superb quality, exceptional flavour and aroma. All "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" produced for sale is estate grown and bottled.
As strictly limited sales inevitably leads to a sell out season of Villa Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil each year, Phil and Rachel encourage pre-ordering to ensure delivery. Please place your order here for this year’s pressing and enjoy.
Several times throughout 2002 and 2004, Rachel travelled to Melbourne to attend the Savantes Extra Virgin Olive Oil Qualifier Course under the tutelage of Judy Ridgway. These courses were designed to introduce olive oil tasters to a wide spectrum of extra virgin olive oils and their culinary uses. This knowledge has been used in developing blends of oil and to recognise taste and flavour faults. Rachel has been a member of the ONZ Sensory panel and has judged a number of Olive Oil competitions including Olives NZ awards, the Royal Canterbury Show and the Wairarapa Awards.
Olive Oils produced by Villa Grove Estate have been the recipients of
a number of awards and accolades.
In 2007 the Villa Grove Blend won a Gold Medal at the Olives New Zealand Awards.
In March 2003, Villa Grove Estate was named as “Favourite New Zealand Oil” by Cuisine Magazine.
In 2001 The New Zealand Olive Oils Awards were established to promote the New Zealand Olive Oil industry and to recognize the achievements of growers. At the inaugural ceremony, Villa Grove Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil received 3 awards and high praise for the taste and fragrance of its oils.
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| Supreme Award | Villa Grove Estate Frantoio | |
| Best Classical Varietal | Villa Grove Estate Frantoio | |
| Certificates of Excellence | Villa Grove Estate Leccino | |
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Chief Judge, famous foodie, publisher and Cuisine magazine writer; Julie Biuso had this to say about the award winning taste of Villa Grove Estate.
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"I have just completed a
test of New Zealand oils for 'Cuisine' magazine and it was interesting
to see the same oils coming through to win the awards in the blind
tasting," she says. |
