Rangihoua Estate

Rangihoua Estate was founded by Anne Stanimiroff and Colin Sayles. The initial inspiration for the business had come when Stephen White, owner of Stonyridge Vineyard, challenged them to make olive oil - initially from the Stonyridge olives. Further research and experience was gathered on a trip to Italy in May 1996. A chance encounter in a wine bar... across the Ponte Veccio Bridge in Florence, led to Anne and Colin being invited to Sunday lunch at a local farm - Podere Valdibotte. The table was set out in Helene and Gincarlo's olive grove and laden with course upon course of delicious fresh Italian food - all of course drenched in the farm's gleaming green peppery olive oil. Later that same year Colin returned to Podere Valdibotte to help with the harvest and milling of the olives. He left with a 5 litre jar of fresh olive oil and managed to nurse it 36 000 miles back to NZ. Back home he poured the fresh green olive oil out and announced to friends and family "if we can produce olive oil like this, then we'll be in with a chance". The relationship has continued with Valdibotte and Anne and Colin continue to visit Italy and enjoy their lovely hospitality at the farm B&B Podere Valdibotte. In April 1997 the inaugural harvest began and the first olive oil was made on Waiheke Island by Rangihoua Estate. The resulting oil was green, herbaceous and peppery - perfect! Since then they have produced outstanding Extra Virgin Olive Oil of international acclaim. They manage 4200 olive trees all growing on Waiheke Island. In 2013 Rangihoua Estate was ranked 'Best 20 in the World' by Flos Olei - The Italian Guide to the World's Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Every year both International and National Gold medals have been awarded to their Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Today Rangihoua operates tours & tastings all year round concentrating on educating the public on how olive oil is made, what makes it Extra Virgin, the way it enhances food and the enormous health benefits. Visitors become part of their ever growing following of fans ...Read More