River Estate Products
Olive Oils
The 2025 Oils are listed below vary from smooth to medium to very intense for this season. We harvested 3 weeks early to beat a large storm threatening to decimate the crop. 2 of our oils are very intense as a consequence of an early harvest.
High polyphenols are generally a reflection of the amount of 'greenness' in the fruit when it is harvested. This year the Picual and Frantoio are much stronger due to the early harvest of these two varieties.
These olive varieties are mostly grown and processed on our estate in Whitford, Auckland, New Zealand.
Chemlali (North Africa) -Polyphenols 161
very mild -Virgin Olive oil
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A North African variety originating from Algeria, which produces very small fruit.
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The oil starts off very smooth and buttery with a slight hint of nuttiness . It finish's very smoothly softly. Best for cooking
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Recommended for delicate foods where strong flavours not required.
Leccino (Italy) - Polyphenols 243
medium intensity
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A popular Italian variety
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This oil starts off smoothly with a hint of ripe banana flavours. It finish's with a good peppery flavour.
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Excellent with most meats and excellent drizzled over salads
Tuscan Blend (Italy) - Polyphenols 289
medium intensity
A blend of three popular Italian varieties - Leccino, Pendolino and Frantoio. No polyphenol tests for Pendolino this year.
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This is only blend that River Estate does regularly, due its popular demand.
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Represents a good European flavour.
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This oil starts off with mild fruitiness and hint of pepperness. it finishes with a good peppery after taste.
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Represents a good European flavour
Excellent drizzled over salads and for cooking with red or white meats eg chicken and fish.
Other Products
Table Olives
A jar of Olives is $10.00 for 200 grams of net drained weight. For the 2020 season we have a limited supply due to seasonal influences and limited quantity of quality of olives. The olives are all cured by the natural fermentation process. The natural fermentation process takes 6-12 months to complete the process. They are soaked in a brine solution until ready to package.
You will notice that we are referencing the previous year for table olives. That is because of the time it takes for natural curing to take place.
At River Estate we grow the following varieties of table olives:
- Manzanillo (Spain)
- Kalamata (Greece)
- Picual (Spain)
River Estate Dukkah
Dukkah originates from an old traditional Middle Eastern food. It was developed by camel drivers after the day's journey, roasting nuts, spices and seeds, then crushing and eating with bread lavishly dipped in olive oil. It is also known as Zatar amongst some Middle Eastern countries.
River Estate Dukkah will give you a new total taste experience as all the different nuts, spices and seeds flavours vibrantly excite taste buds when you dip your favourite bread in River Estate Extra Virgin olive oil and Dukkah. What makes River Estate Dukkah unique is the very low level of salt in our dukkah mix with no added preservatives or anti -caking agents.
However, Dukkah is not just limited to dipping with olive oil and bread. It has many other uses like sprinkling on salads, soups and most meats and fish when cooking. It can be placed in pita bread and used when stuffing meat fillets.
Our Dukkah has been rigorously tested for 12 months alongside our olive oil tastings. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments like; "this the best Dukkah I have ever tried" and "When can we get it? The sooner the better!"
Warning -our Dulkkah contains sesame seeds and nuts.
Koroneiki (Greece) - Polyphenols 213
mild intensity
A Greek variety that produces very small fruit which is difficult to pick.
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The oil starts fresh with good green tea flavours which liger on the palate.
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It finishes with a smooth pleasant hint of pepper.
Recommended for all cooking and delicate flavoured meats.
Frantoio (Italy) Polyphenols 477
Our strongest oil this year.
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A very popular Italian variety
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The oil starts off boldly with a hint of citrus flavour. The oil then finishes strongly with a robust peppery finish.
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An extremely popular oil.
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Excellent with Dukkah, dipping with breads or strong cheeses. will also complement red meats.
Picual (Spain) - Polyphenols 421
A very strong oil
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A popular Spanish variety that is usually late to ripen.
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This year the oil starts off typically with its green capsicum peppers flavours which linger on the palate. The oil finishes with a good peppery, slight hint of bitterness.
Recommended for dipping, and cooking with red meat and venison.