News Releases
Date:
25-02-2010 Olive oil lamingtons
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28-10-2009 Cobram Estate Declared Australia’s Best Olive Oil
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13-10-2009 Cobram Estate Becomes Largest Producer of Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Australia
Olive oil lamingtons
A modern version of traditional Australian Morning or Afternoon tea cake, using Cobram Estate's fresh and fruity olive oil for the cake base and dark chocolate ganache.
Cobram Estate Declared Australia’s Best Olive Oil
Cobram Estate was last night announced as the winner of the Best Oil in Show at the prestigious 13th National Australian Olive Association (AOA) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Awards. This achievement topped off a highly successful awards season for Australia’s leading home-grown olive oil brand.
The winning oil, Cobram Estate Hojiblanca, was recognized for outstanding quality and excellence in a competitive field. In doing so the oil was awarded the shows highest score of 18 out of a possible 20 points.
Cobram Estate’s flagship supermarket oils, Fresh & Fruity and Rich & Robust, also achieved outstanding success, with both oils receiving silver medals.
“We are incredibly excited to win these distinguished awards,” Leandro Ravetti, Executive Director of Boundary Bend, the parent company of Cobram Estate, said. “It is recognition of Cobram Estate’s dedication and commitment to quality and excellence in the growing, harvesting and production of EVOO’s”.
“As Australia’s leading vertically-integrated olive producer, we have the ability to select and bottle only the best and purest EVOOs produced on our estates, and we are proud that these efforts have been recognized by the AOA” Leandro added.
100% of Cobram Estate’s oils are certified by the Australian Olive Association’s ‘Code of Practice’ and bear the logo.
The AOA National awards are the pinnacle within the Australian olive industry. This year more than 200 entries were submitted – the highest number of entries in the award’s history – with Cobram Estate submitting five entries for Picual, Hojiblanca, Premiere, Rich & Robust and Fresh & Fruity in three classes. Hojiblanca and Picual both won Gold, whilst Premiere, Rich & Robust and Fresh & Fruity won Silver. The awards were judged at Restaurant Pendolino in the Strand, Sydney by twenty-seven judges at the end of September, with the winners announced at the National Press Club in Canberra.
Cobram Estate Becomes Largest Producer of Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Australia
Boundary Bend Limited (BBL), the parent company of Cobram Estate, is set to become the largest producer of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in the Southern Hemisphere after the acquisition of all of Timbercorp’s olive grove assets. Upon settlement, the purchase will see BBL become the largest producer of EVOO in the Australia and one of the top ten biggest olive groves in the world. BBL will control approximately 16,154 acres of planted irrigated olive groves on 25,000 acres of freehold land, including 2.4 million olive trees. The purchase will also cement BBL’s position as one of the few vertically-integrated olive groves in Australia that retains absolute control over all of its operations and has full traceability from seedling to bottle. By keeping all aspects of production in house, BBL is able to maintain the standards and quality of its EVOO, sold nationally under the Cobram Estate label.
“The purchase of the Timbercorp olive assets is a wonderful opportunity for BBL and Cobram Estate,” BBL Executive Chairman, Rob McGavin said. “We have managed Timbercorp’s olive groves for several years, and the purchase will protect Australian jobs and earnings. The takeover will also reinforce Cobram Estate’s position as a leader of EVOO in the Australian market,” Mr McGavin added. “With access to the largest olive groves in Australia, we will be able to further our commitment towards harvesting only the best olives for use in our premium quality EVOOs, and maintain the high standards and quality associated with Cobram Estate.”
BBL’s purchase will include the Boort Assets and the Boundary Bend Assets, which include, in addition to the land and water rights, a state-of-the-art olive processing plant, ranked by capacity as one of the top ten in the world, a 4.8 million litres stainless steel oil storage facility, 20 hectares of winegrapes, 500 hectares of plantable vacant land, and plant equipment including 11 Colossus harvesters.
Cobram Estate, Australia’s Most Awarded extra virgin Olive Oil,now in Western Canada
Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Australia’s most awarded olive oil, launches this week in Canada at food retailers in British Columbia and Alberta. Established in 2002, Cobram Estate has won numerous accolades in Australia, the US, and Europe, including 13 gold medals and 22 silver medals for exceptional quality among extra virgin olive oils.
Cobram Estate is located in Victoria’s Murray River region, an area renowned for its outstanding food products and wines. The region’s fertile red soils, warm summers and cool winters combine to create an ideal Mediterranean climate that guarantees premium oil quality.
State-of-the-art onsite production facilities ensure that Cobram Estate olives reach their full potential as extra virgin olive oils to rival those found at much higher price points.
Cobram Estate brings its top four varieties of premium Australian extra virgin olive oils to cooks and food lovers in Western Canada. Fresh & Fruity, Light & Delicate and Rich & Robust are perfectly balanced blends of the highest quality extra virgin olive oils, each suited for a wide range of culinary uses. Australian best-seller Lemon Twist is premium extra virgin olive oil infused with cold-pressed lemon oil.
Fresh & Fruity
- Balanced medium bitterness and late pungency with delicate almond aftertaste.
- Multi-purpose oil suitable for sautéing, grilling, roasting vegetables and meats, salad dressings, sauces or dipping crusty bread.
- 3 gold and 4 silver medals in extra virgin olive oil competitions since 2002.
Light & Delicate
- Combination of multiple fruit characters with sweetness on the pallet of ripe olive fruit flavors and apple aroma. Mild bitterness and pungency on finish.
- Versatile cook’s companion for stir-frying, BBQ's, baking, sautéing and roasting.
- Launched in Australia in 2008. Silver medal in 2008 Australian extra virgin olive oil Awards.
Rich & Robust
- Deep olive fruit character, with typical notes of green apples, herbs and citrus zest with well-balanced finish displaying bitterness and firm pungency.
- Ideal for Mediterranean salads, stews and casseroles, pasta sauces and drizzling over vegetables.
- Launched in Australia in 2008, Rich & Robust has already won 4 Gold medals and 3 Silver medals, including a Gold medal in the 2008 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.
Lemon Twist
- Premium extra virgin olive oil with cold-pressed lemon oil.
- Delicate lemon finish with the fruity flavors of high quality Australian extra virgin olive oil.
- Ideal for dipping, marinating lamb or chicken, Asian salad dressings and all seafood dishes.
Suggested retail is $9.49 to $10.49 for 375ml.
Cobram Estate Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oils are carried in Safeway, H.Y. Louie, Thrifty Foods, Save-On-Foods, Price Smart, Cooper’s Foods and Overwaitea Foods stores throughout Western Canada.
Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oils are part of Australia’s Boundary Bend family of olive oils-- Australia’s largest producer of olive oil. The fully integrated company employs state-of-the-art processing and tracking methods to ensure the highest standards of quality from tree to bottle. Cobram Estate olives are grown on Boundary Bend’s own groves and crushed on site within hours of picking, utilizing the company’s temperature and quality-controlled continuous extraction system and fully computerized traceability system. Visit www.cobramestate.com.au for recipes and additional information.
Cobram Estate and Boundary Bend Win Multiple Awards in LA
Cobram Estate and Boundary Bend, Cobram Estate’s parent company, recently entered six premium Australian extra virgin olive oils into the 2009 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. The results have been announced with all six oils winning medals and Cobram Estate and Boundary Bend performing better than any of the other Australian entries. Awards include:
- Boundary Bend Hojiblanca – GOLD Medal, Australian Mono Cultivar Category
- Boundary Bend Arbequina – GOLD Medal, Australian Mono Cultivar Category
- Boundary Bend Picual – SILVER Medal, Australian Mono Cultivar Category
- Boundary Bend Barnea – SILVER Medal, Australian Mono Cultivar Category
- Cobram Estate Premiere – BRONZE Medal, Australian Blends Category
- Cobram Estate Fresh & Fruity– BRONZE Medal, Australian Blends Category
These medal wins are on the back of a clean sweep of the extra virgin olive oil awards for Cobram Estate in 2008 where the brand won 9 Gold Medals, 14 Silver Medals and 12 Bronze Medals.
The LA competition has become extremely popular since its launch in 2000. This year organisers received 477 entries from 318 producers. There were a total of 6 Best of Show Awards, 15 Best of Class Awards, 96 Gold Medal Awards, 141 Silver Medal Awards, and 88 Bronze Medal Awards. This year’s competition received oils from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and the United States. Award winning entries will be displayed at 87th anniversary of the LA County Fair, September 5 – October 4, 2009.
Cobram Estate has been reviewed on Supermarketguru.com
Cobram Estate has been reviewed on US website www.supermarketguru.com. Phil Lempert, The Supermarket Guru, is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends, and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. Phil is recognized in the USA on television, radio and in print. He is the food trends editor and correspondent for NBC News’ Today show, where he reports on consumer trends, food safety and money-saving tips, as well as showcases new products. He makes monthly appearances on ABC’s The View , and has appeared numerous times on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, CNN, CNBC, Discovery Health and MSNBC, as well as on local television morning and news programs throughout the country.
Cobram Estate is extremely proud of receiving such a positive review by such a highly esteemed US food critic.
Cobram Estate Releases New Award Winning Hojiblanca Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cobram Estate has kicked off the 2008 harvest season with the release of a new single varietal Extra Virgin olive oil, Hojiblanca. A first for this variety in Australia, Victorian produced Cobram Estate Hojiblanca Extra Virgin olive oil is crushed from Hojiblanca olives, a variety that originates in Andalusia, Spain. The oil is already producing results for Cobram Estate winning Gold and Champion Oil in Show at the 2008 Royal Canberra Extra Virgin Olive Oil Show, along with three other Gold medals and four silver medals around the country.
Hojiblanca (pronounced okee-blanca) Extra Virgin olive oil displays wonderful apple aromas with ripe tropical fruit driven flavours. The oil is mild in bitterness and pungency, complementing the existing Premiere and Picual extra virgin olive oils in the range. Premiere and Picual Extra Virgin olive oils display a more peppery, robust flavour.
Cobram Estate’s technical director Leandro Ravetti is elated with the 2008 Hojiblanca Extra Virgin olive oil. “Hojiblanca is usually harvested late in Spain as a consequence of it being able to stay on the tree longer than other varieties. By applying full irrigation and harvesting significantly earlier we have been able to take the genetic potential of Hojiblanca to a higher level. Early harvest and careful management have allowed us to obtain vibrant, fresh, fruity oil with intense aromas and a creamy feel on the palate.”
Cobram Estate is also excited to launch new Gourmet range labels. “We were looking to update the appearance of our Gourmet range and develop a timeless label”, says Cobram Estate’s Marketing Manager Ashley Read. “The original Premiere label was designed in 2001, and although this has served its purpose extremely well in launching Cobram Estate and positioning it as a premium, first class brand over the past seven years, we felt that it needed a face lift to take our Gourmet range to the next level.”
The new Cobram Estate labels display the recently launched ‘Australian Extra Virgin Certified’ symbol. This symbol, developed by the Australian Olive Association, is linked to a new code of practice that sets out to provide confidence to consumers that they are purchasing high quality Extra Virgin olive oil that meets strict industry standards. To be certified by the Code of Practice, products must be Australian and undergo organoleptic (taste) and chemical testings. Cobram Estate is proud to be a member of this new initiative.
Cobram Estate is Australia’s leading Australian extra virgin olive oil brand with distribution nationally. Cobram Estate products are also exported to fifteen countries including the USA and Canada, and the brand has recently been launched nationally in China.
Cobram’s oil comes from Australia’s best grove!
The award for Australia’s olive grove of the year in 2008 has gone to the Victorian grove contributing to many of Cobram Estate’s multi award winning extra virgin olive oils.
Boort Estate, located 120km northwest of Bendigo, won the coveted prize of Olive Grove of the Year at a recent awards ceremony hosted by the Australian Olive Association.
The estate comprises almost 1 million trees on an area covering 2,800ha.
Cobram Estate Marketing Manager Ashley Read said extra virgin olive oil from the Boort grove contributed to many of Cobram’s award winning oils, along with the Boundary Bend and Cobram Estate grove in northern Victoria. Boundary Bend Estate won the inaugural Olive Grove of the Year award in 2005.
“Boort is where the magic starts for many of our much-loved extra virgin olive oils that you will find on the supermarket shelves,” he said.
“This grove delivers us a very reliable supply of premium Australian extra virgin olive oil for domestic and international sales.”
Cobram Estate has enjoyed a stellar year in the national award circuit, outclassing its competitors in most categories to end the year with a total of 34 awards.
“This accolade tops off what has been a well-rounded year of recognition for Cobram Estate,” Mr Read said.
Triple medal win seals Cobram Estate’s place in Australian supermarkets
The good oil is in the supermarket aisle; Cobram Estate’s multi-award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is!
The superior taste, freshness and value of Cobram Estate’s supermarket variety olive oils were recognised at the recent Perth Royal Show with two gold and one silver medal for:
- Fresh & Fruity - Gold Medal and Best Oil in Show
- Rich & Robust - Gold Medal
- Light & Delicate - Silver Medal
Cobram Estate’s vision to plant premium tree varieties that would produce the finest oil quality to consumer markets has become a reality as the local company outclassed its competitors.
Overwhelmed with pride and satisfaction, Marketing Manager Ashley Read said the Cobram Estate team was still celebrating its recent wins.
“The award success we have received is a direct result of the time Cobram Estate invests in its products to ensure that it delivers the best and most satisfying Extra Virgin Olive Oil,” Read said.
“We are pleased that Australian supermarkets are proud stockists of our products, all of which are 100% grown, produced, and packaged locally – and all by Cobram Estate!”
Cobram Estate credits its market-leader status to specialised staff and unique processing techniques, which have allowed for constant product development of new flavour profiles.
“Cobram Estate is a driver in unique flavoured oils,” Read said.
“We understand and value the importance of consumer education and have developed this over the past 12 months by encouraging our customers to stock more than one flavour of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and to experiment with the flavours.”
Cobram Estate’s recent winning varieties are unique from other brands, and from each other.
- Fresh & Fruity is a must-have, multi-award winning and aromatic oil. Its multi-faceted applications can slide anywhere from the sizzling sides of a kitchen wok to the white dipping dish on a gourmet antipasto platter. Awarded for the Best oil in Show, it’s an all-round winner.
- But if you like your dinner-parties with a little more pep, the Rich & Robust variety is a perfect selection! Let the aromas diffuse the room as this intense oil gives a flavoursome boost to sauces, stews and savoury treats. This back-to-back Gold Winner sits nicely alongside the Fresh & Fruity variety in any pantry. This is the second 2008 gold for Rich & Robust. This superior product also won the gold in the 2008 NSW Northern Extra Virgin Olive Oil show.
- It’s only natural to kick in to neutral mode from time-to-time, so take a healthy breather and let Cobram Estate’s Light & Delicate variety provide comfort and delicacy to the very finest of foods. Mild in flavour and new to the shelf, Cobram’s baby has silver-award winning status and is ideal for all cooking applications.
Cobram Estate Wins Gold in LA
Cobram Estate recently entered two of our premium Australian extra virgin olive oils into the 2008 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. The results have been announced with Cobram Estate winning the following awards:
Cobram Estate Rich & Robust – GOLD Medal, Australian Blends Category
Cobram Estate Picual – BRONZE Medal, Australian Mono Cultivar Category
The competition, now in its sixth year, was held on 27-29th May 2008. The Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition has grown from 28 entries in its inaugural year in 2000 to nearly 400 entries in 2008. It is judged in two categories – domestic and international – separated according to regional designations and fruitiness intensity levels. Award winning entries will be displayed at 86th anniversary of the LA County Fair, September 5 – 28, 2008.
Cobram Estate success in Italian olive oil competition
Recently Cobram Estate entered two of our premium extra virgin olive oils in one of Italy's most prestigious olive oil competitions, "ARMONIA". We are pleased to announce the following outstanding results:
Categoria Fruttato Medio (Oils category Medium Fruity)
Gran Mention Diploma & 3rd place
- Cobram Estate Picual - AUSTRALIA
Best Chemical Composition, Southern Hemisphere
Gran Mention Diploma
Cobram Estate Rich & Robust - AUSTRALIA
The 2nd International Olive Oil Competition “ARMONIA” - ALMA Trophy - is organised by the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Agency in collaboration with ALMA – The International School of Italian Cooking directed by Gualtiero Marchesi and CRA – Centro di Ricerca per l’Olivicoltura e l’Industria Olearia (Olive Research institute).
More than 270 olive oils participated to the competition, from countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Ex Jugoslavia, Albania, Greece, Turchia, Cypro, Iran, Iraq, Sirya, Palestina, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, USA, Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
New Products Deliver Multiple Gold to Cobram Estate
The launch of Cobram Estate's first single varietal oils and a new rich & robust oil have delivered immediate success in the 2007 Australian olive oils awards.
Last Tuesday, Cobram Estate Picual, a varietal oil produced from the renowned Picual olive tree variety, was awarded Champion Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the Sydney Royal Show extra virgin olive oil competition.
On Thursday, Cobram Estate Rich & Robust, an exciting new product launched nationally in Coles, was awarded a gold medal and best in Class at the Perth Royal Show extra virgin olive oil awards.
Altogether Cobram Estate has won two gold, four silver and four bronze awards in the first week of Australian olive oil awards. Ashley Read, Cobram Estate Marketing Manager is thrilled about the awards.
"I have so much confidence in the premium extra virgin olive oils we produce. These results are a testament to the significant investment we have made in building a world class olive oil production system, and the thousands of hours of hard work that our operational staff put in to produce the highest quality oils possible”.
“This year has been the biggest yet for Cobram Estate; we have released five new products and put into place a new strategy which more clearly targets the needs of our customers in all markets. Consumer interest and awareness of extra virgin olive oils has increased rapidly over the past two years, as has the reputation of the Cobram Estate brand for consistently providing consumers with oils of exceptional quality”.
“We are rewarding our customers by releasing single varietals and usage-targeted oils that will allow them to explore and experiment with various oils and choose the style of oil they like best, and at the same time strengthen their relationship and trust in the Cobram Estate brand”.
Cobram Estate released two new varietal based oils in July, Picual and Arbequina. Both are Spanish olive varietals that are grown in northern Victoria. Cobram Estate Picual is a medium to robust oil with complex rocket salad, green tomato and tomato leaf aromas. The Picual grown in northern Victoria is widely considered to be some of the best in the world, even by the Spanish! Cobram Estate Arbequina is a milder style oil with vibrant green banana and fresh cut grass aromas.
Cobram Estate rich & robust was launched nationally in Coles in July. Created for the indulgence of the astute olive oil connoisseur, this rich & robust oil combines strong spicy aromas and complex fruity flavours with balanced intense bitterness and pungency.
Cobram Estate fresh & fruity, one of Australia’s most popular olive oils, continues to expand popularity with supermarket consumers and is delivering new options with the introduction of a three litre version and spray can.
Cobram Estate products are available nationally through Coles, Woolworths, Safeway and leading independent supermarkets and gourmet food stores.
Cobram Estate Branches Out
Cobram
Estate is famous for its award winning extra virgin
olive oils, product innovation and state of the art
facilities. The launch this month of two new single
variety oils is about to add to this list of achievements.
The development of these new oils reflects the growing
love affair between the Australian public and olive
oil.
Cobram Estate Marketing Manager, Ashley Read, is delighted to announce the introduction of two single variety extra virgin olive oils, Arbequina and Picual to the Cobram Estate range.
"These new varieties demonstrate Cobrams commitment to innovation and excellence. We're putting in a lot of time and energy to the development of new blends, as well as single variety oils. Consumers are now far more educated about the flavours that different olive varieties produce and have increased taste expectations. With more and more local and international product available it continually pushes us to keep raising the bar," said Mr Read.
Leandro Ravetti, Cobram Estates Oil Master has carefully selected the oils that have been used for these new varieties.
"Each season is different and these variations influence the oils characteristics. Recognising the environmental conditions of each year is key to planning the harvest. This 2006/07 season was unique. Warm spring weather brought flowering forward by two weeks, combine this with a moderate summer and above average autumn temperatures, it gave us an extended season that allowed for a full ripening cycle for all olive varieties. This longer cycle is reflected in sweeter fruitiness and aromas reminding us of apples, bananas or fresh tomatoes. The grassy and herbal notes are still present, but not too powerful generating more complex and interesting oils", said Mr Ravetti.
Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 375ml, $13.60
Arbequina is one of the major olive varieties originating in Spain and has been widely planted in other parts of the world because of its high productivity and quality. Whilst currently in limited availability in Australia, Arbequina is set to become an important variety in our emerging olive industry.
The new Cobram Estate single varietal Arbequina extra virgin olive oil displays vibrant apple, green banana and fresh cut grass aromas. On the palate it is soft and buttery with no bitterness, leading to a creamy mouth feel and a sweet, nutty aftertaste. This is an ideal oil for drizzling on seafood, mashed potato or creating a delicious mayonnaise or as a substitute for butter.
More about Cobram Estate Arbequina
Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 375ml - $13.60
The Picual variety represents about 90% of the olive trees planted in the Jaen region of Andalusia, Spain, the largest olive growing area in the world. Picual has quickly adapted to Australia's conditions and the Australian version is recognised as perhaps the best example of the variety produced anywhere in the world.
The new Cobram Estate single varietal Picual extra virgin olive oil displays complex rocket salad, green tomato and tomato leaf aromas. On the palate it is fresh and flavoursome, combining green, grassy notes with balanced bitterness and a medium peppery aftertaste. This is an extremely versatile oil ideal for salads, pasta and dipping crusty bread.
In addition to the single variety oils, Cobram Estate will be launching two additional extra virgin olive oils this year.
More about Cobram Estate Picual
Première
Extra Virgin Olive Oil -375ml - $13.60
The first oil of the new harvest has always been prized as the finest of the season. Selected olives, chosen for their outstanding oil quality by Leandro Ravetti are picked and pressed in optimum condition. The year's freshest and most aromatic oil is created, bursting with aroma, flavour and character.
Cobram Estate Première continues this tradition; Cobram's first selected oil is sourced from leading Italian olive varieties. Fruity, fresh and aromatic with a distinctive peppery finish, Cobram Estate Première is simply exceptional.
More about Cobram Estate Premiere
Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oils are distributed through Essential Ingredient and specialty food stores and delis.
Cobram Estate is the official olive oil sponsor for Tasting Australia 2007.
For further media information and images, please contact:
Ashley Read
T - (03) 9646 6081
F - (03) 9646 6083
E - ashley@cobramestate.com.au
