CHOOSE YOUR PLEASURES

With over 10 events to choose from, making decisions could be tricky for festival goers at the new Martinborough Olive Harvest festival, 29-30 June. 
First up: which of six lunch venues to choose for your Leisurely Lunch? Each has created a different olive-themed menu for your gastronomic delight. The Earlybird $99 ticket includes this three-course lunch.
Will you go to Moon Over Martinborough blogger Jared’s story-telling session Stories from an Olive Farm after lunch or wait until Sunday morning?  
Choose to visit some or all the six olive groves for a unique ‘behind the scenes’ look at the olive harvest in action, plus sights sounds and aromas at Pressing Engagement, Martinborough’s own olive press.
Each grove shows different aspects of the life of an olive grower: you can pick your own olives to take home and pickle, help with the harvest or watch a grunty big tree-shaker in action or create gourmet dressings.  Each grove offers different food options.
 
Maybe you’d like to learn more about this ancient product? Choose from a top-level Masterclass for experienced palates, and/or a series of Sunday workshops to stimulate your culinary creativity, capture health and beauty benefits or how to grow your own olives.
 
Don’t forget Saturday’s Night market in The Square, 4.30 – 8.30pm, open to all.  About 60 stalls offer everything from warming food snacks to beautifully hand-crafted products: more decisions, especially for long-term planners thinking about Christmas presents already.  Festivalgoer wristbands get you free mulled wine and discounts at retailers.  
 
Tickets are on sale now www.martinborougholivefestival.co.nz. Earlybird ticket prices apply until 31 May. The festival is a Martinborough Business Association initiative; bringing fun, visitors and activity to the village at a quiet time of year.