Twelve years ago, Derek and I planted a small olive grove in the Wairarapa Valley north of Wellington.The Wairarapa, with its warm summers and cold winters provides ideal growing conditions for our 250 trees.

We both love olives and planted mainly pickling varieties in the hope of having a constant supply of our own. We follow organic principles and use no pesticides or artificial fertilizers.

While our grove was maturing, I decided I would love to see the olive in its traditional surroundings. I visited groves in France, Spain, Italy, Morocco and Greece, talked to their growers, tasted countless olives and oils, was given family recipes and lots of wonderful advice. Heaven for an olive lover.