Meet David and Julie Cockerill.

Oil-maker David Cockerill has been producing extra virgin olive oil and table olives in the Cudgegong Valley, near Mudgee, for almost two decades, after studying the art with Italian producers for several years.

He has been a contributing member of the Australian Olive Oil Association since its conception and has won several awards for his oil in the national association’s annual awards program.

David and his wife Julie also own a bookshop, Books In Mudgee, situated in the centre of town, about 20km from their olive grove.

At Cudgegong Valley Olives, David and Julie are committed to maintaining environmentally sustainable practices, both in the olive grove and in the on-site processing plant. Natural methods of pest and weed control are used in the grove and controlled drip irrigation is used instead of full-scale watering to preserve and enrich the natural environment. Fruit by-products from the processing plant are also collected and stored in composting pits along with organic pea straw and animal manure, which is later used on the trees as balanced organic compost.

The grove is irrigated with water collected from the valley floor and the fruit is hand-picked between May and June. Each harvest at Cudgegong Valley Olives reflects the unique qualities of each season, with a natural grassy freshness and aroma being the only constant characteristic from year to year.

he management principles employed at Cudgegong Valley Olives are based on the traditional methods used in Tuscan oil production and further add to the authenticity of Cudgegong Valley Oils — as well as preserving the pristine environment of the beautiful Mudgee area.