Valhalla Olive Orchard

Olive Varietals Grown by
Hank & Sue Anderson
Valhalla Olive Orchard

We grow ten different kinds of olives here at Valhalla Olive Orchard. We are often asked why we grow so many different kinds of olives. We are fans of red wine blends. These wine blends provide wonderful taste variations and the American red wine blends are often clones of the famous French style of winemaking. We, too, think that blending of different olive oils has the benefit of providing wonderful taste variants for its users. We have created two blends for 2009, an Arbequina/Arbosana (50/50) EVOO blend and an Estate Blend, which includes mostly Manzanillo olive oil but also has some Pendolino and Grappolo olive oils in it. As our trees mature, we are able to offer pure varietal oils as well as special blends.

We grow ten different kinds of olives here at Valhalla Olive Orchard. We are often asked why we grow so many different kinds of olives. We are fans of red wine blends. These wine blends provide wonderful taste variations and the American red wine blends are often clones of the famous French style of winemaking. We, too, think that blending of different olive oils has the benefit of providing wonderful taste variants for its users. We have created two blends for 2009, an Arbequina/Arbosana (50/50) EVOO blend and an Estate Blend, which includes mostly Manzanillo olive oil but also has some Pendolino and Grappolo olive oils in it. As our trees mature, we are able to offer pure varietal oils as well as special blends.

Below is an alphabetical listing and a brief explanation of the ten olive varietals grown here at Valhalla Olive Orchard.

Arbequina Olives

Origin: Spain
This variety is considered hardy because of its resistance to cold weather. It comes into bearing early. The fruit has a medium removal force but its small size hinders mechanical harvesting. Oil content is high and the oil is of excellent quality. This variety is being used in the new “high-density” approach to planting.

Arbosana Olives

Origin: Spain
Very similar to the characteristics of the Arbequina olives. This variety is being used in the new “high-density” approach to planting.

Coratina Olives

Origin: Italy
This variety adapts easily to different olive-growing environments and starts bearing very early. Its productivity is high and constant. The fruit ripens late and varies a lot in size. Oil yield is high and the oil has a very high Polyphenol content. It is particularly tolerant of cold conditions.

Frantoio Olives

Origin: Italy
This variety has a high, constant productivity and is prized for its adaptability. Fruit ripening is late and phased. It has a medium oil content and is rated highly for the production of particularly fruity oils that are stable over time.

Olivo a Grappolo Olives

Origin: Italy
An offshoot of the Coratina olives. Very similar characterietics.

Koroneiki Olives

Origin: Greece
This is the chief oil variety of Greece. It comes into bearing early and it flowers early too. It is early ripening and its productivity is high and constant. The oil yield is high as is its oil quality. It has a very high oleic oil content and provides for high oil stability. It is resistant to drought but does not tolerate cold weather. This variety is being used in the new “high-density” approach to planting.

Manzanillo de Sevilla Olives

Origin: Spain
This is the most widespread variety in the world. It has an early start of bearing and is self-pollinating. Productivity is high and alternate. It has medium oil content and the oil is of high quality.

Mission Olives

Origin: United States (by way of Spain through Mexico)
This variety is considered hardy because of its resistance to cold weather. It is dual-purpose, being used for both oil production and table olives. It flowers is late May and its bearing is intermediate. Production is medium and alternating. Ripening is late. When mature, the fruit has high oil content and the oil is good quality.

Pendolino Olives

Origin: Italy
This variety adapts easily to different soil and environmental conditions. It has a high rooting ability. It comes into bearing early. Bloom is early, abundant and long lasting. It is a self-pollinator and productivity is high and constant. It is also used as a pollinator for other varieties of olives. The time of ripening is intermediate and the fruit requires a low removal force. The oil content is low. We have one or two Pendolino olive trees in each of our orchards.

Sevillano Olives

Origin: Spain
This olive tree is very low rooting and is therefore normally propagated by grafting. It has an intermediate start of bearing and also time of flowering. It is considered self-germinating. Productivity is low and alternate. Ripening is early and the fruit is normally used for pickling because of its very low oil content. Its fruit is very large. It bruises easily so it demands very careful harvesting techniques. We have three Sevillano olive trees and we pickle these olives. They are wonderful as a snack or with meals.

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