Wolds Way Lavender - Distillery~From Summer 2005 we have been distilling our own essential lavender oils, from the Lavender grown in our own fields.The process involves passing steam through the harvested lavender in a still. The vapours then pass through a condenser with the liquid being collected. The oil floats on top of the water and is decanted off. It is then kept for six months before it is ready to be used.
Planning has been approved to rebuild the building above to make it suitable for Storage, drying, distilling. The building is a "verandah" type pig weaning unit. There are two large tanks that run the full length of the building. One will be dried out and used to draw air through the lavender to dry it. The other tank will be piped to the two ponds. The water would then be circulated and used for through the condensor in the distilation process of the lavender.
To date we have three acres of oil plants planted, a further three acres are planned for next year. The following year a further two acres will be planted making a total of eight acres.
The current plants are L.lavendula maillette and L.x intermedia grosso. We intend to plant three other varieties for their oil.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE HARVEST AND DISTILLERY IN 2005~~~377~378~distil,distillery~