Obiz Award

About Cherryvite Tart Cherries

The Land we Love

We are a fourth generation farming family, ‘Springbank’ is 700 acres in the Incholme, North Otago area. We have a mixed cropping, lamb fattening and wintering cows operation, half of the property is irrigated. We also grow Tart Cherries

We have four adult children, and are delighted to be Grandparents to our two Grandchildren. Our son and daughter–in-law farm in partnership with us. We are passionate about farming, and are always looking for a challenge, or a new, better way of doing things

Environmental Considerations

In 1992 we decided that we must utilize our irrigation water more efficiently – because it is a valuable commodity, and becoming increasingly more so. We looked for a new crop to grow that wouldn’t take as much water as we had been using, and which was also natural and healthy

An eye to the future

At the beginning we drew a list of prerequisites;
The crop must be able to be mechanically harvested, there also had to be a consumer demand for our product, and above all, we wanted to grow a crop that is full of health properties.

The Perfect Crop?

After many years of extensive research and trials, we were excited to find the ideal crop - tart cherries.

Tart Cherries appeared to be perfect for us; they were bursting with healthy properties – assisting and preventing various pains, promoting sleep and general well – being, and was a totally natural product . 100% Tart Cherry Juice, no additives, preservatives or other nasties. Nothing but pure juice

Tart Cherries in NZ

During our research we discovered that in the early 1970 the government of the time in New Zealand realized their potential and encouraged a few orchards to grow them.

Unfortunately the majority were disposed of because it was outside the orchards core business
We now have the largest planting of tart cherries in New Zealand, with more being planted.

Research and Development

We needed to find out more information on the harvest and growing of the trees, so we went to USA in 2004

We spent several weeks speaking with growers, processors, The Cherry Marketing Institute and Researchers at the Michigan State University Horticultural research Unit.

We wanted to find the highest quality Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate to introduce to the health conscious New Zealand consumer. We felt strongly that New Zealand consumers needed to know about, and have access to this amazing natural product. After a great deal of research and discussion we identified King Orchards in Michigan as the company that produced the most superior product. After meeting them, and viewing their orchard and facilities, they were identified as the Company that produced the premium product we wanted, and in the volumes we need.

We came home with a small supply of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate
and found by having concentrate with our breakfast we are set up for the day. The juice has taken the pain out of aching joints – we now enjoy working in the garden, even after a hard day on the farm. If we can’t sleep we take CherryVite at night. We then sleep well and always wake refreshed. Generally we both found ourselves to be much calmer, with an enhanced sense of well being

We needed no further convincing, we really had found the perfect crop!

Since introducing Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate to New Zealand we have been astounded. Customers order over and over again, and give us so much positive feedback about Cherryvite that we are both delighted. We love to hear how much our product helps people, and to know that not only are we able to help with some painful conditions, we also know from what our customers tell us, that they  just "feel better"

We are proud to be the sole New Zealand distributor of Cherryvite

Yours in Good Health!

John & Maureen Newlands
Cherryvite Ltd