A Taste of the Mediterranean in the Hunter Valley
Fruits Of Labour
About the Adina Vineyard.
By Hayley Warren
The seasons of change have thrown up varying challenges for Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove over the last few years. However, despite these headwinds, the olive grove has secured numerous awards for its high-quality products.
“Typically, our olive tree fruit is bi-annual,” operations manager Kate Fagan said. “2021 was a really good year with great yields, 2022 was lean due to our pruning regime, and 2023 started well.
“However, we had a cool finish to the season, which stopped the fruit ripening.”
About Adina Vineyard
Mrs. Fagan and her team run the 54-hectare operation at Lovedale in the Hunter Valley, growing 2,000 olive trees.
Adina produced 57 tonnes of olive fruit for growers plus 2.6 tonnes for their own use in 2023.
“The olives are usually picked by hand, while oil olives are machine-harvested, and the average harvest time is around Easter.
Mrs. Fagan said the most important ingredient for high-quality olives was grove health.
“Olives, like all fruit trees, are susceptible to diseases, so they must be managed,” she said.
“They require regular pruning to allow airflow through the tree and around the fruit.”
Nutrients and water are both vital for flower production and yield.Adina has a cellar door where they sell their estate-grown wines and olive products.
“We are known as ’boutique’, which means we are a smaller producer and pride ourselves on quality products,” Mrs. Fagan said.
“We also supply some of the major restaurants in the area.”
Our History
Adina began when Peter O’Meara purchased the property in the early 2000s. Operations commenced in 2003 and offered wine, olive products, accommodation, and a little later, an on-site café.
Mr. O’Meara took a very active interest in working with his winemaker to develop quality wines and alternate varieties for that time – Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Franc, among others.
He was also active in thea olive industry as president of the Hunter Olive Association and in a short-term role as the Australian Olive Association president.
Mr. O’Meara also owned a small mill and set up the Hunter Olive Boutique Growers, which provid local growers with a facility to process olive oil and table fruit.
In 2014, he built a new facility that house a Pieralist olive mill he imported from Italy to cater for the increase in olive production in the Hunter and surrounds before selling the property in 2017.
About Our Company and Produce
The current owners are a Sydney-based family company who are extremely proud of what Adina has to offer,” Mrs. Fagan said.
“They support the continuation of operations and have plans for further improvements looking into the future.”
Mrs. Fagan became the bookkeeper at Adina in 2011 and has worked there ever since.
In 2022, she was asked to take on the role of operations manager.
“I am passionate about food and wine and truly admire the fabulous products Adina has to offer with our customers,” she said.
“I also take the time to explain what effects the various seasonal changes have on the production of both the olive products and the wine.
“I was born in Manilla, where my family ran a commercial Poll Hereford stud, so I have been involved in the agricultural industry in one form or another for most of my life.”
Adina was extremely successful at the 2023 Australian International Olive Awards, which backed up a huge award haul in 2022.
Canberra hosted the awards in October, which Ms Fagan and her husband attended.
Adina earned gold medals for their Ligurian Style Olives, scoring 86/100, orange and thyme olives (91/100), and wild olives (90/100); silver medals for their lime and coriander olives (85/100); and a bronze medal for their 2023 unfiltered extra virgin olive oil (68/100).
Orange and thyme olives took out champion specialty olive, with the Ligurian style took out the reserve champion in the same class.
Orange and thyme went on to win Best Table Olive Oil for boutique volume.
The wild olives also won the champion of the class.
Champion olives
The judges commented, “Orange and thyme is a very attractive coloured olive with wonderful clean, fragrant nose. An excellent blend of citrus herb and olive, creating a beautiful balance of flavours.”
“Full credit to our olive production manager, Dirk Ashburner, for his innovation and attention to detail,” Mrs. Fagan said.
Mrs. Fagan said their main focus was on maintaining their high standards of operation, using tried and tested methods.
“The annual routine we have established is successful,” she said.
“This, of course, is adapted to the seasonal requirements and climate. The health of our olive grove is routinely monitored, and schedules are updated to ensure the continuation of what has become a very important part of Adina, being the olive, olive products, and olive oil component of the business.”
Discover Adina’s Difference
Experience unmatched luxury, premium products, and scenic beauty at Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove. Taste, stay, shop or just relax and be pampered at the Reflections Day Spa, also located on site here in Lovedale.
Exquisite Villa Accommodation
Indulge yourself with a stay in one of our three Mediterranean villas. All with ensuites, log fires, and vineyard views.
Gourmet Wine & Olive Tastings
Savour tantalising wines, olive oils, and gourmet treats. Try our cellar door tastings or shop online for award winning olive and wines.
Resort style comfort and Relaxation.
Relish the tranquillity of nature, open-air swimming pool access, or be pampered at the incredible Reflections Day Spa.
Taste & Tranquility
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