Welcome to our first instalment of a new weekly blog. Plenty of exciting things happening here at Geelong Region Olives and we are super keen to share with you all things Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Our weekly blog aims to give you an insight into the amazing groves we manage, the award winning oils we produce and some of the top restaurants throughout the region we are proud to supply.
What better way to kick off our first post than to share our results from the Australian International Olive Awards which were held in Canberra last week. Producers from all over the country and internationally came together to celebrate the season that was and showcase their amazing olive products.
The awards are recognised as an industry benchmark both here in Australia and globally.
Our Bundara View Koroneiki was an absolute standout claiming the most prestigious award of BEST IN SHOW. It also took out best in class, best in state, country and southern hemisphere.
Bundara View is situated within the rolling hills of the Golden Plains of Western Victoria, along the Leigh River Valley. The two main plantings being Koroneiki and Taggiasca.
Prior to the harvest this year we put a lot of effort into pruning the grove and getting the trees to an optimal size for mechanical shaking. Opening up the canopy and promoting growth proved beneficial as we had an impressive crop with above average oil yield.
Like most other producers, our harvest season was a lot later than usual and this grove was harvested in mid July, which was the optimal time for this fruit and part of the reason the oil was of outstanding quality.
We ensure the fruit comes straight from the tree to the processing plant to be pressed in no time at all.
The judges described it as having 'interesting aromas of pink grapefruit, pink lemonade, green apple peel and tropical fruits.... long flavoursome length with plenty of fruit and flavour." And we agree!
We were absolutely humbled to receive such amazing results and we will continue to strive for the very best when it comes to local, quality produce.