For the love of olives in Texas
By Beverly Burmeier,
Poor soil, high temperatures, and low water levels are all plentiful in central Texas. Not the usual growing conditions for a food crop, this combination just happens to be perfect for olive trees. So Jack Dougherty, former president of a computer company, bought a ranch near Wimberley and became the first person to grow olives in Texas.
Since he grew up among Italian farmers in California, Dougherty’s Bella Vista Ranch follows the classic format of Italian agriculture with which he was familiar.
The working cattle ranch includes an olive orchard in the front 20 acres, specialty fruit trees, and producing vegetable and herb gardens.
Dougherty takes pride in his success with items not generally grown in central Texas: almonds, cherries, apricots, apples, asparagus, artichokes, arugula, oriental persimmons, and table grapes. Each spring the ranch’s 1000 plus blackberry bushes become prime territory for pick-it-yourself visitors—followed by red raspberries from June until October.
But his specialty is producing olives. With more than 800 olive trees representing seven different varieties, the ranch produces and bottles fresh pressed olive oil– the first commercial venture of this kind in Texas. It’s not unusual for hundreds of people to visit Bella Vista ranch in a day, with the numbers swelling during berry-picking season.
Posted in Olive Oil, Olive Tree, Texas by: Olives101
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California: The Olive Press earns top awards
Already known as the most highly-awarded producer of California extra virgin olive oil, The Olive Press once again earned high accolades and awards at the prestigious 2009 Yolo County Fair Olive Oil Competition held in April, with an impressive 15 medals in all.
Gold medals were awarded to an additional seven of the Sonoma-based company’s extra virgin olive oils including Ascolano, Koroneiki, and Sonoma Valley Blend along with Best of Class medals going to both Sevillano and Mission.
Gold was also awarded to Marquesa and Lunigiana Estate Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Silver Medals were awarded to Arbequina and Italian Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oils, along with Jalapeno Oil at this important competition.
All of the award-winning olive oils can be sampled and purchased at The Olive Press Tasting Room and retail shop, located on Highway 121 in Carneros adjacent to Jacuzzi Family Vineyards at 24724 Highway 121/Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA.
[Source] Click here
Posted in California, Event-Festival, Olive Oil by: Olives101
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Australian Olive industry says MIS collapses won’t hold it back
The Australian Olive Association says the demise of orchard managers Timbercorp and Great Southern does not spell the end of the olive industry.
Managed investment schemes account for the majority of Australian olive production, and sparked the industry’s rapid growth over the past decade.
The Olive Association’s Paul Miller says the industry is now big enough to attract interest from other sources.
“We’re seeing enquiry from places like Indonesia,” he says.
“I’m hoping that our experience to date has started to put some runs on the board, and these people have now got some numbers and figures on which they can judge success and make some investment decisions.”
[Source] Click here
Posted in Australia | NZ, Business by: Olives101
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India: Publicis bags 2009 mandate for International Olive Council
Publicis will be involved in the promotional campaign of Olive Oil and Table Olive in India for 2008 -2009.
With the slogan “For a Tastier and Healthier Tomorrow,” the campaign is focused on the unique taste, quality and health aspects derived from table olives and olive oil.
The campaign is focused on the taste, quality and health aspects derived from table olives and olive oil.
“We are pleased to have agr! agro and Publicis as our marketing and communications partner. The expertise that they bring on board would help us in promoting the use of Olive Oil in India. We look forward to a long term and mutually beneficial relationship,” International Olive Council executive director M Sbitri.
agr! agro, an international agency specialised in the food and agricultural sector, and its partner Publicis Dialog will work together and will create campaign to promote the use of table olives and Olive Oil in India.
Posted in Cashmere | Around, Media, Olive Oil by: Olives101
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Lindsay Olives seeks sales in snack aisle, too
By David Morrill,
Walk down the snack aisle of a local grocery store and you’ll find the usual canisters of peanuts, bags of chips and jars of salsa. If Lindsay Olives has its way, you’ll see their cans of olives as well.
Owned by Bell-Carter Foods Inc. of Lafayette, Lindsay Olives is in the process of trying to change its image.
The top U.S. producer of olives wants to maintain its classic feel, yet gear up to target a new generation of olive eaters.
“We understand there’s a heavy tradition with Lindsay Olives, but we also understand there’s a whole new market we can tap into,” said Ken Wienholz, chief executive of Bell-Carter.
Wienholz arrived three years ago and is the first nonfamily CEO. He believes there’s a way to make both long-standing and new customers happy.
“We want to give our brand a look that will not only connect with the older generation that has fond memories with us, but also excite a new generation of customers into looking at olives as a great snack food,” he said.
The company isn’t taking the move lightly. About $4.5 million is going to be spent on the makeover.
Posted in Business, California, North America by: Olives101
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