Our Story
Guinea Grove Farm began with our shared vision, to create a sustainable farm working with certified organic and biodynamic farming methods.
In 1998, we found our blank canvas, 80Ha of marginal cattle pasture in the gentle rolling hills of the Cheriton Valley, in the Gingin agricultural region of Western Australia. This was to become home to our planned olive grove.
We embarked on planting hundreds of native trees and shrubs to help revegetate and improve the farm ecosystem and provide future wind breaks for the olive grove. In July 2000, with help from family and friends, we planted the initial grove of 2,500 trees. The main varieties planted were of Italian origin, Frantoio, Leccino, Correggiola and Pendolino. Greek varieties, Kalamata and Koroneiki were planted in the front row of the grove and these olives go to make our aptly named Front Row Blend!
In 2013 we planted another smaller grove with the Spanish variety Picual and more recently added to this with the Spanish Manzanillo variety to celebrate the groves 20th year. We now have around 3,000 olive trees in total.
Our first harvest was in 2006 and in 2010 we installed a processing shed housing a 500kg/hr olive mill, oil storage, bottling and labelling facilities. This enables us to manage the entire olive oil making process from tree to bottle on the farm.
Angus and I would regularly walk together through the olive grove and marvel at the beauty and resilience of nature and how privileged we were to have been able to create and care for this very special place.
​
Sadly, in April 2022, while out in the grove at the start of harvest, Angus collapsed and died very suddenly. He died with his boots on, the way Angus always said he wanted to go and Angus always was so true to his word. I miss him terribly but know Angus will forever be smiling at what we created. Now as I walk through the grove alone, my heart broken, I hope I can find that resilience of nature and in some way or form continue the story of Guinea Grove Farm.
​
Rae xx
​