By mid-winter we all need a break – why not get out and have a gastronomic affair with a passionate local. Passionate about Martinborough’s olive oil, that is.
The new Martinborough Olive Harvest Festival celebrates the district’s up-and-coming gastronomic product, at harvest time. Festivalgoers are encouraged to “choose their pleasures” from 10 events over the 29-30 June weekend.
Local chefs are creating unique three-way food/olive oil/wine taste sensations for olive-themed Leisurely Lunches to start the festival in style. Chefs, growers and winemakers will share their culinary ‘ménage a trois’.
The festival website www.martinborougholivefestival.co.nz sets out a weekend of pleasurable choices from Saturday lunch, including Sunday morning golf.
A rain or shine event, all the activities except actually picking olives will be under cover.
“We want a typically crisp clear Martinborough winter weekend but obviously that’s out of our control,” event manager Sue McLeary commented.
Local enthusiasm has been great, she added, with many people asking “how can we help?” The answer is to help spread the word, and encourage your friends, relatives and colleagues to come to Martinborough for a mid-winter boost, and
Plan ahead with the website, and when tickets go on sale 1 May buy an Earlybird ticket for only $99 + booking fee. For this you get a Leisurely Lunch, access to most festival events, groves and a free mulled wine at the Night Market. The olive oil Masterclass and workshops are an extra $30 each.
The prices rise to $115 and $40 from 1June so it pays to book early.
The All Blacks are not playing on Saturday 29 June so there’s no excuse to just sit at home by the fire: wrap up warm and join the fun of the Night Market in The Square.
