Olive Festival update

After a glorious summer, the local olive harvest has started. On 29-30 June the inaugural Martinborough Olive Harvest Festival celebrates Martinborough’s No. 2 gourmet product, and is planned to become an annual event on Martinborough’s usually quiet winter calendar..

Described as “a gastronomic affair” the festival includes olive-themed lunches, and shares the olive harvest experience with visitors.  Supplementing the grove visits is a series of workshops.
 Quick Easy & Spectacular (Helen Meehan, Olivo). Olive Virgins   (Margaret Edwards) How to be an Olive Grower   (Craig Leaf-Wright, Olives NZ (Wairarapa) Olives are Good For You   (Adi McMaster, MartyLady) Olive Cuisine   (Travis Clive-Griffin, Bar Salute)  Book at olivefestival@martinborough.co.nz. 

Masterclass
For more experienced palates, this is a real treat.  Margaret Edwards is New Zealand’s most qualified olive oil judge and teacher. She will help you understand flavours and blend your own olive oil to take home. Saturday 29 June, 4.30 – 6.30pm, $30pp, book on olivefestival@martinborough.co.nz.  

All welcome 
Join in all the fun of an outdoor market, in The Square, on Saturday evening, 4.30 -8.30pm, under cover of spectacular Stretch Tent canopies, rain or shine.  Over 70 stalls, including hand-crafted specialities, plus gourmet hot food and drinks.

Old Times bring on good times.

Big congrats to our boys for two great games of rugby by the Senior teams on Old timers day. The Seniors beat Greytown 31 – 29 in last game of the first round. However Greytown won the first round on total points and are awarded with the MOOSE KAPENE memorial trophy which will be presented at a later date.
Greytown had been undefeated until the final game of the round  against Marty, this game was the one to see. No mucking round Marty scored within minutes of the game starting, then Greytown replied quickly nailing a try and a conversion.

From there it was up & down with the scores. Come the second half, it was still very close but Marty did it! Awesome effort  boys.  The Marty supporters were out in force as always , we appreciate all the support and it does make a difference to the teams performances. … Continue Reading

Moon Over Martinborough

Moon over Martinborough is Jared Gulian’s award-winning blog, artisan extra virgin olive oil, and the title of his recently published book from Random House which we are so pleased to have available for sale here at the Martinborough Wine Centre.

For Jared Gulian, leaving the United States and coming to tiny Wellington, New Zealand, was a switch from the bright lights of big cities enough. So when his partner CJ decided they just had to buy a rundown olive orchard in the Wairarapa, it was almost too much to cope with. … Continue Reading

Meet your Fire Fighters

Mike Lace has been a brigade member for 9 years, having family history in emergency services.  His Grandfather was a fire fighter during WWII in Manchester.  After serving in the armed forces in the UK and here in NZ and a career in information technology, Mike joined the Brigade, following his brother Kim who was also a member.  Mike is the owner in Interlace Technology, offering local sales, service and support for computers and networks.

He currently has the rank of Station Officer and is often the Officer-in-Charge of call outs.  Asked if he has any particular scary moments, his immediate memory was of a burning ceiling falling on his helmet, thinking it was the whole roof coming down to bury him.  His partner on the hose behind him saw it was just one ceiling tile and they both laughed it off before getting on with fighting the blaze. 

He remembers another fire when the scary part came after the initial interior attack when it was discovered there was a large stock of chemicals and petrol that he crawled past, which couldn’t be seen due to the thick smoke.
Mike has 2 daughters, age 4 and 6 and is in a relationship with Maureena who has two boys age 10 and 8.  After kids and the brigade there is occasionally a little time for fishing.

His advice to new recruits is “You get out what you put in.  Work hard and the reward of satisfaction comes to you knowing you are helping your community and friends in the brigade.”