Victoria’s best extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) comes from Tongio according to the judges of the Australian International Olive Awards. And Nullamunjie Olive Grove owner, Annie Paterson, is chuffed.
Mrs Paterson planted her first olive trees 20 years ago and has entered the state olive oil competitions every year for the past 14 years.
She has since won many silvers, bronze and gold medals.
“I’ve never been out of the medals but this is the first time I’ve had Best in State,” Mrs Paterson said.
“I’m very pleased.”
Her oil, harvested in May, had stiff competition, up against 61 other Victorian entries, and was described by the judges as having an “intense herbal nose, displaying coffee notes, tobacco leaves and tomato vines”.
The awards were held at Wagga Wagga on October 19, with the Nullamunjie EVOO initially awarded a gold medal in the delicate oil category before taking out the big gong across all categories.
The judges also noted the oil’s flavours “transferred well to the palate, were very complex and well balanced, with mild bitterness and pungency, a lingering olive fruit aftertaste and overall a great oil”.
Nullamunjie olives are grown according to organic principles on the lower slopes of Mount Stawell along the Tambo River, between Swifts Creek and Omeo.
Mrs Paterson’s passion for ancient Greek history took her travelling to Greece where she saw “dry, hungry hillsides like at home” and on her return home told her father they should be growing olive trees. She received no encouragement for the idea, however, bought part of his property from him in 1998 and went ahead with it.
That first planting of 600 trees has since grown it to 3000 trees. About 85 per cent of the oil is exported to America with the remainder sold in local IGA supermarkets from Swifts Creek to Sale and many other shops from the east through to Melbourne.
PICTURED: Annie Patterson, of Nullamunjie Olive Grove, has had her olive oil judged the best in the state.
