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River Estate Products

Olive Oils 

 

The 2026 Oils are listed below vary from smooth to medium to intense for this season. We harvested 3-4 weeks early again this year - as high humidity was threatening the viability of the crop.  Picual is an intense oil 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.  

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These olive varieties are mostly grown and processed on our estate in Whitford, Auckland, New Zealand. 

Chemlali (North Africa
very mild oil -Virgin Olive oil​

 

  • A North African variety originating from Algeria, which produces very small fruit.

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  • The oil starts off very smooth with grassy flavours. It finish's very smoothly with a slight nutiness

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  • . Best for cooking

    

  • Recommended for delicate foods where strong flavours not required.

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Leccino (Italy)  - 
medium intensity  
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  • A popular Italian variety ​

  • This oil starts off smoothly  with a hint of green banana flavours.  It finish's with a  slight peppery aftertaste.

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  • Excellent with most  meats and excellent drizzled over salads 

        

 

Tuscan Blend (Italy)  -
medium intensity
A blend of three popular Italian varieties - Leccino, Pendolino and Frantoio. 
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  • This is only blend that River Estate does regularly, due its popular demand.

  • Represents a good European flavour.​

  • This oil starts off with mild fruitiness and hint of pepperiness. it finishes with a smooth mild peppery after taste.

  • Represents a good European flavour

      

     Excellent  drizzled over salads and for cooking with red or white meats   eg chicken and fish.

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     Silver medal - Oliveti Olive oil Awards 2026

     

           

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Other Products

 

Table Olives

 

A jar of Olives is $10.00 for 200 grams of net drained weight. For the 2026 season we  have a limited supply due to  seasonal influences and limited quantity of quality of olives. Kalamata was not harvested again this year due to high humidity damaging the crop. 

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 Zaatar 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 Dukkah contains sesame seeds and nuts.

 

Koroneiki (Greece)  

   mild intensity 

  

​A Greek variety that produces very small fruit which is difficult to pick.

  • The oil starts fresh with good green tea flavours which linger on the palate. 

  • It finishes with a smooth pleasant hint of pepper.

Recommended  for  all cooking and delicate flavoured meats.

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Silver Medal - Oliveti Olive Oil Awards 2026

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Frantoio (Italy)  Polyphenols 265
 a good robust oil

  • A very popular Italian variety

  • The oil starts off strongly with a  hint of citrus flavour. The oil then finishes  with a robust  peppery finish.

  • An extremely popular oil.

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  •  Excellent with Dukkah, dipping with breads or strong cheeses. will also complement red meats.  ​

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Gold medal and BEST IN CLASS - Oliveti Olive Oil Awards 2026

    

            

                   

                   

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Picual (Spain) - Polyphenols 328
 A  strong oil

 

  • A popular Spanish variety that is usually late to ripen.

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  • This year the oil starts off with a fresh bold green capsicum/ peppers flavours  which linger on the palate. The oil  finishes with a  good  peppery taste and  slight hint of bitterness. 

   

Recommended for dipping,  and cooking with red meat and venison.

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Gold medal and Best IN SHOW - Oliveti Olive Oil Awards 2026

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