Neudorf Olives

2015 Harvest is almost upon us. I will be let in gently, pressing for 2 or 3 other groves before our own harvest starts in about 10 days and then it will be full on, 14+ hours a day, 7 days a week providing the weather cooperates and stays dry! As much as a short break with the pressing due to rain is gratefully received, part of me just wants to keep going until all the fruit is off the trees and the oil is safely stored in the tanks… then I know I can collapse without consequences! We have an abundance of Frantoio, good volumes of Koroneiki and patchy volumes of Leccino olives this year. Our bird banger (gas fired bird scarer) seems to be doing a good job deterring the birds, and with the cold weather finally arriving, the fruit, which needs cold weather to fully ripen, is reaching full maturity. At this time of year when I have multiple layers on in an effort to keep warm, I ask myself why we don’t grow a crop that needs harvesting in warmer weather but at least this way we get to relax over the summer. I’ll try an write again when the olives are pressed with an update regarding the oil. Those in the Northern Hemisphere, lucky you… I hope you have a lovely summer. Those facing winter, keep warm and enjoy the contrast from our long hot summer!