River Grove is a family-owned olive grove nestled on the banks of the Ruamahanga River, just north of Masterton in the beautiful Wairarapa region.

About River Grove

Located along the Ruamahanga River near Masterton in Wairarapa, River Grove is a family-owned olive grove established in 2004 by Steven and Chris Price, who moved from Wellington with their three children. The property spans 36 hectares, with 12 dedicated to olive trees and the rest leased for beef grazing. Over the years, the Prices have expanded their grove, now growing 4,000 trees.

Our Olives and Oils

River Grove’s primary olive varieties include the fruity Frantoio and the peppery Leccino, along with newer varieties like Koroneiki and Chemlali. The trees bloom in November, and olives are harvested in early winter, with mature trees mechanically harvested and younger ones hand-picked. As harvests have increased, most fruit is sold to The Village Press. The grove also grows a small number of Manzanilla trees which are most suited as table olives.  These are sold to companies that process table olives. with a portion processed into small batches of extra-virgin oil for direct sale to customers. Each batch is certified extra-virgin with support from Olives New Zealand.

Seasonal Rhythms

The 2025 harvest started earlier than usual, with our first trees being shaken in late May and the last in early July. The harvest was remarkable for the absence of frost. Frost is the biggest threat to our grove, as an event colder than -2’ can destroy the crop, and there is nothing we can do. Aside from that, the time was fairly uneventful for us, with only one machine breakdown and little rain – and therefore mud. It is a relief to have oil back in stock and ready for sale. We are pleased with the flavours, perhaps a little on the mild side, but still delicious.

Now the grove can rest for a while. The next event for us will be the Olives New Zealand Awards in October while November brings the flowers, and the whole cycle starts again.

Explore Our Olive Oils