About Lusatori

Roger & Sally Woolhouse are the owners of Lusatori Olive Grove & Mill. When we bought this 9 ha bare block, during the drought of 1997, we were on the edge of the Marlborough wine growing area. Now we are in the midst. We have planted 6 of the 9 hectares in olives and are blessed with the remaining area being native wetland and wilderness. A peaceful oasis and sanctuary for the bird life.

We knew from the beginning we wouldn’t be planting grapes and were lucky enough to meet, and be encouraged by, passionate pioneering olive growers and thus the decision was made.

We attended many seminars on growing olives, including one run by Stan Kallis of the University of WA held at New Norcia monastery, north of Perth WA. Here the spiritual side of the noble fruit was appreciated along with the practicalities of grove management.

We have visited the origin countries of the cultivars we grow; Italy and France to date; Greece, Spain and Israel ongoing, to tap into the olive culture and practices that go back centuries or indeed millennia. This helps us marry the old cultures with new world technology.

The grove is managed to organic principles and is currently certified BioGro C1 In Conversion. In this way we produce world class, single estate extra virgin olive oil.