HISTORY OF THE GROVE
Greendale Grove was established at Kialla West in 2001 by Rodney and Ann Henry who had already had experience with olive groves, planting a Grove at Shepparton East with 3500 Olive Trees.
OLIVE VARIETIES
The Kialla West property had 2000 existing Olive Trees when we purchased the property, featuring the varieties – Kalamata, Manzanillo, Verdale, Frantoio and Nevadillo.
Our vision was to develop a sales complex selling Estate Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Table Olives and produce made on the premises as well as locally grown wines and produce. We planted another 1200 Olive trees to surround the complex and The Olivehouse, giving it a lovely Tuscan feel. The shop, restaurant and function centre was opened in November 2003.
OUR OLIVE GROVE
Just 10 minutes south of Shepparton – less than 2 hours from Melbourne, in the heart of the Goulburn Valley, this picturesque Olive Grove brings together Olivehouse Event and Function Venue and Greendale Grove Olive Shop, for a unique Mediterranean experience.
Rod and Anne Henry along with their daughter Jacqui began their journey 18 years ago when they purchased the Kialla West property in 2001 to expand on the Henry family’s passion for growing the Mediterranean fruit and production of the very best quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Table Olives.
The grove now has over 3000 trees with 14 different varieties of olive trees.
The stately red brick federation style building that is home to the beautiful Olivehouse Event and Function Venue was built in 2003.
Jacqui and partner Rob (head chef) successfully operate Olivehouse Event and Function Venue and Greendale Grove Olive Shop with support and assistance from parents. Rod Henry maintains the 50 acre Olive Grove, including harvesting annually.
The family business is one of the largest olive based businesses in Victoria.
You can celebrate your special event, learn how Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced and purchase the range of premium quality estate-grown produce. Olivehouse Event and Function Venue at Greendale Grove is the unique Mediterranean experience.
At harvest time the public can come and pick olives for themselves to take home, using their own methods of curing and marinating. Our Olive Oil and Table Olives grown at Greendale Grove are sold to restaurants, but most of the oil is sold to families locally and sent to customers around Australia.
TABLE OLIVES
The olive trees flower in November and then start producing olives. The Green Table Olives are usually picked around March – April and the Black Olives late April to May. Table Olives are hand picked so as not to bruise the fruit, put into barrels of fresh tank water and changed daily to clean and remove some of the bitterness. This process continues for 5 days.
The olives are then put in a solution of brine consisting of 10% salt to water, and left in the brine for a number of months until all the bitterness has gone.
OIL OLIVES
We mechanically harvest our olives in May - June for oil. Our olives are processed within hours of harvest creating exceptional Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We then store our Extra Virgin Olive Oil in stainless steel tanks ready for bottling.
