PUKARA ESTATE
Host: MIKE WHITNEY
The olive season has started so Mike is headed to Pukara Estate in the Upper Hunter to help with the harvest.
Pukara Estate
Pukara Estate’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils are amongst Australia’s best, winning over 23 awards in shows nationally, including the prestigious Australian Olive Association National Show. The Estate produces distinctive, sophisticated and flavoursome Extra Virgin Olive Oils of the highest quality.
Products produced by Pukara Estate include Premium and Premium Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oils, as well as flavoured extra virgin oils - Garlic, Lime, Lemon, Chilli, Pepper, and Wasabi. We also sell premium quality Manzanillo and Kalamata Table Olives, Marinated Olives and a delicious range of Tapenades, Relishes and Mayonnaises (made with our extra virgin olive oil, of course), as well as Dukkahs.
Visitors to Pukara Estate can relax and taste and purchase a full range of oils and olives along with many other gourmet products on display, as well as see the olive press and learn about olive oil production, first-hand. Toby’s Estate Fine Coffee and Tea and light refreshments are also served in the Tasting Room.
The Grove
Pukara Estate was founded by Bruce Eglington, who planted the first olive trees in 1999. The location for the estate was selected as the combination of climate, position and terroir (soil) provided excellent conditions to grow premium quality olives.
The 200 acre estate is bordered by the Barrington Tops National Park to the north and the world heritage listed Wollemi National Park to the south.
The greatest care is taken in handling the olives, from harvest, through production, to every bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced. On estate processing, storage and packing guarantee the freshest product, throughout each season.
Pukara Estate is carefully managed to world best practice standards by Steve Goodchild, one of Australia's new breed of dedicated olive growers.
Olive Varieties
Varieties grown on the Estate include the Italian favourites Frantoio, Leccino, Correggiola and Coratina as well as the popular Spanish variety Picual, Barnea from Israel and Koroneiki from Greece.
Production of Extra Virgin Olive Oils
- At Pukara Estate, the process starts by monitoring the olives for oil accumulation, to ensure they are picked at the optimum time – this is when the olives have the highest yield of oil and quality is at its best.
- Harvest generally takes place in April - May using an over-the-row straddle style machine, which "combs" the olives from the tree. This harvesting method avoids bruising the fruit and keeps the olives off the ground, ensuring they are clean and in prime condition.
- The olives are then taken directly to the press. Quick pressing is important for quality, as the longer the olives remain off the tree, the more they deteriorate.
- They are washed and then crushed in two stages, which is less aggressive, giving us an optimum crush without losing quality through excess heat and friction. Pits are crushed along with the flesh, to assist in the extraction process as well as contributing a small amount of oil.
- The paste produced is then put into malaxing tanks. These are similar to large food mixers with paddles, which gently mix and turn the paste. Mixing lasts for as long as necessary, typically 20-25 mins, when we begin to see the oil separating from the organic matter.
- Oil is then passed to a decanter, which separates the residual pomace from the oil by means of a centrifuge. After separating all the oil, the pomace is removed and spread through the grove as a fertiliser.
- The oil fraction, which still contains some water, is passed to a vertical separator which removes any residual water. What is left is fresh oil, or effectively fresh olive fruit juice.
- The fresh oil can be enjoyed immediately; however, we settle the oil in special tanks to remove any tiny residual organic matter or moisture. The oil is then transferred to storage tanks and kept at a steady temperature with a nitrogen “blanket” on top of the oil to prevent oxidation.
- All Pukara Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oils are then bottled “on demand” to ensure the oil is as fresh as possible.
The Tasting Room
Opened at the end of 2005, Pukara Estate’s new Tasting Room offers visitors the opportunity to taste the complete range of premium quality products.
Staff will be delighted to guide you through a tasting of the delicious Extra Virgin Olive Oils including the Premium and Robust, as well as the popular flavoured oils - Garlic, Lime, Chilli, Lemon, Pepper and Wasabi. Delicious olives and other gourmet products including Dukkah and Flavoured and Caramelised Balsamic Vinegars are also on taste.
The full range of Pukara Estate products is available for purchase, as well as other local and Australian gourmet foods, olive and olive oil related home wares and books. Visitors can also see the olive press and learn about olive oil production, first-hand.
Visitors can enjoy light refreshments and Toby’s Estate Coffee or Fine Tea. Relax and enjoy the lovely vista of our grove, either from the sun drenched terrace, or from the elegant Tasting Room.
More Information
Pukara Estate
1440 Denman Road
Muswellbrook
Telephone: (02) 6547 1055
www.pukaraestate.com.au
The Tasting Room is open 9:30am – 4:30pm Wednesday to Monday
Two Rivers Wines
2 Yarrawa Rd Denman
Telephone: (02) 6547 2556
www.tworiverswines.com.au
Prices correct as at 05/05/07
Morna May Cottages
There are two cottages to choose from…
Morna May Cottage is a two bedroom self contained cottage which will sleep up to six people.
The main bedroom features a queen size bed decorated for your romantic stay. The second bedroom contains two single beds decorated in a warm welcoming country style.
The separate lounge room contains a double sofa bed, accompanied by a two seater sofa and a wing backed arm chair for you to relax and unwind - while listening to your favourite music or watching a bit of television.
The country style kitchen is equipped with a fridge, microwave-convection oven and hot plates - ready for you to cook up a great country breakfast!
The bathroom has a separate shower, but the real treat is the old style claw foot bath for you to indulge and pamper yourself in the bubbles while you soak up the private, expansive views of the mountains and nearby vineyards!
The cottage is surrounded on four sides with spacious verandahs just waiting for you to enjoy breakfast, a cup of tea, or treat yourself to a local wine from one of our nearby wineries - we are just a three minute drive to the world famous award winning Rosemount Estate Winery! We really hope you will enjoy your stay at Morna May Cottage which we have lovingly restored and have dedicated to the memory of Cheryl's mother, Morna May.
The cottage is serviced with:
- Crisp White Linen
- Fully equipped laundry with washer, dryer, washing powder, ironing board and iron
- Ceiling fans in kitchen, both bedrooms and lounge room
- Reverse cycle ducted air conditioning
- Tea and coffee supplied
- Continental breakfast supplied - full breakfast available at additional cost
- Electric blankets
- All linen supplied
- Hair dryer in bathroom
- Gas barbecue
- Barbeque pack available at additional cost
- Television, VCR and stereo in lounge area
Maisie's Cottage
Maisie's Cottage is a one bedroom, fully self contained, Bungalow style cottage. Romantically furnished to ensure your stay is relaxing, private and peaceful. Relax in a warm bath and enjoy a glass of our beautiful local wine as you overlook the courtyard and watch a wonderful sunset.
The cottage is serviced with:
- Crisp White Linen
- Queen size bed
- Ceiling fans
- Reverse cycle air conditioning
- Tea and coffee supplied
- Continental breakfast supplied - full breakfast available at additional cost
- Electric blankets
- All linen supplied
- Hair dryer in bathroom
- Gas barbecue
- Barbeque pack available at additional cost
- Television & VCR
More Information
Morna May Cottage & Maisie’s Cottage
310 Rosemount Road,
Denman
Telephone: (02) 6547 2088
www.mornamay.com.au
Prices start from $120 per couple per night including a continental breakky.
Prices correct as at 05/05/07