Owners Karen and Ian Juno began preparing for planting the first of their 1280 Olive trees in October 2001. Before planting could begin, they manually ‘grass grubbed’ the necessary clearings of thick, deep-rooted rye grass in readiness. Their aim was to give the trees, sourced from Italy, Spain, France and Greece a good start without pasture competition.

An auger was used to drill the one metre deep holes needed for each tree. This resulted in many rocks coming to the surface; they were later used as stone walls and garden edging around the property.  Tree planting was very much a family affair including Karen’s ‘sprightly’ 80 year old parents, who worked alongside younger family members and friends. Since then, a further 300 Koroneiki Olive trees have been planted with another 500 trees planned for later this year. The family owned grove is chemical-free, with fish and seaweed fertilisers along with trace elements used to maintain their healthy trees.

As the property has developed, Karen and Ian have planted a variety of fruit and nut trees, citrus and avocados. Five acres has also been set aside for the development of a small vineyard. In 2006 Juno Olives produced a small quantity of extra virgin olive oil with characteristic herbaceous, grassy intensity that finished with an appealing pepperiness on the back of the palette. The oil, a rich green gold colour was typical of oil produced in the Mediterranean. It sold quickly with buyers complimenting its quality.

In December last year Karen and Ian opened their shop ‘Everything Olive’ which is housed in the transformed stables at the back of their property. The full range of Juno Olives products, which include Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Oil hand and body lotion and Olive Oil soaps are available at the shop. In addition to their own products, the shop stocks other locally grown olive products.

Karen refers to this as a “co-opting affair” between themselves and Elaia Gourmet Olives, Stone Valley and Bella Olea. All products for sale promote Olive oil and complement Juno Olive Oil. The range is extensive including Olive/Fig Jams, Olive leaf powder, and salted table olives. For a lover of Olives there are limitless choices.