Brick Bay Olives

In 1995 we started planting an olive grove at Brick Bay, for the aesthetic qualities of the silvery green trees themselves, and for the potential fruit and oil harvest.

Our first varieties planted were the Spanish Manzanilla, Ascolano and Verdale, to be followed several years later by the Israeli Barnea plus Piccione di uovo, Picual and Souri. More recent plantings have concentrated on the Italian varieties of Frantoio and Leccino plus some Koroneiki.

The Barnea has proved less than successful- leggy specimens of great growth and little fruit which were replaced in 2003 by the Italian Frantoio and Leccino.

We are discovering in our climate, the trees produce a fine crop only every other year, but we are hoping, as the Italian varieties continue to mature, that they will crop well in the year that our original Spanish trees are resting! This way we will be able to produce fine olive oil on an annual basis.

In the spring of 2010, we planted another grove of 200 Italian Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino olives, on the southern slope above The Glass House. Ringed by a fringe of wild flowers, this planting will ensure a more secure supply of our wonderful extra-virgin olive oil in years to come.

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