Traditional Tuscan-style olives

Oil maker David Cockerill has been producing extra virgin olive oil and table olives on the banks of the Cudgegong River since the early 1990s.

He launched his own label, Cudgegong Valley Olives, after working extensively in Italian oil-producing regions and throughout Australia, and has since won several awards for his hand-crafted produce.

Set high amidst the picturesque hills near Mudgee, NSW, the eight-hectare olive grove thrives in conditions akin to the slopes of Tuscany, characterised by a Mediterranean summer and cold winter.

Tuscan olive varieties Corregiolo, Leccino, Pendolino and Frantoio have all been planted in the grove to produce consistent oil-producing fruit and capitalise on the valley's unique growing conditions.

David has also selected two olive varieties for their eating quality and special oil characteristics . The Irymple Mission variety was sourced from original Riverina rootstock, while the French Verdale variety comes from South Australia.