WIMMERA olive growers are gearing up for harvest after one of the best growing seasons on record.
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Grampians Olive Co owner Greg Mathews said excess rain in spring had set up the grove for a really strong harvest this year.
“It’s one of the best crops we’ve ever seen,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see, especially after a good crop last year.
“The fruit looks great and it’s well formed.
“We are looking forward to tasting the oil.”
Mr Mathews said there was ideal weather conditions during the growing season.
“The crop definitely benefited from the rain,” he said.
“The wet conditions didn’t do it for everyone, but we’ve ended up with a really good crop.
“Then the cooler summer delayed everything and allowed the trees to deliver larger fruit.
“The fruit will ripen later than usual too.”
Mr Mathews said the season had been similar to 2011, which also produced a bumper crop.
“We had a lot of rain then too,” he said.
The grove will start harvest next month.
“It will take about eight to 12 weeks, so it will be a long harvest this year,” Mr Mathews said.
“It usually takes six to eight weeks.
“We also have a new harvester ready to go, which is great.”
Mr Mathews said harvest a couple of weeks later than usual.
“We usually start in late April, so we are two weeks behind where we usually are,” he said.
“All the fruit will be picked and pressed immediately at the farm to lock in the flavour.
“People can buy oil straight from the press.
“We press the olives straight after we pick them, so it’s all happening at the same time.”
Mr Mathews said he was looking forward to harvest.
“Everything is looking really good at this stage,” he said. Mr Mathews said the grove was still open for business during harvest.
“People can come out then and take a tour of the process,” he said.
Mr Mathews said the grove would also have a wood-fire pizza day during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.