Olive Oil at Kyotmunga Estate

There were 300 mandarin trees already on the property when it was purchased; however, since 1997, 200 olive trees have been planted. Olive varieties include Manzanillo, Mission, Kalamata (jumbo and tiny), Koroneiki, Volos, Frantoio (Paragon) and Verdale.

Olive varieties are usually selected either for their oil bearing qualities or their fruit qualities. However, the trees at Kyotmunga are used for both fruit and oil. The trees were irrigated for the first year, but since then, they have survived on their own.

Harvesting takes place by hand from mid-May through to mid-June, depending on the variety and all the olives are processed within hours of picking to maintain the freshness of the oil.

The Kyotmunga extra virgin olive oil is available for tasting and purchase at the cellar door and their jumbo Kalamata olives, which have now become quite famous, are also offered for tasting and sale.

While the Kyotmunga olive grove is not certified organic, no chemical sprays or artificial fertilisers are used.

The owners are also happy to provide handy hints about pickling the fruit and at certain times, visitors can pick their own olives (by appointment only).

Soap made with Kyotmunga extra virgin olive oil is also available for sale. While many commercial varieties of olive oil soap are made with a lower grade olive oil, such as pumice, the Kyotmunga soap is made with extra virgin olive oil and is most beneficial for your skin.