A little background to start. In 2017 Luke Lambert and Rosalind Hall purchased a tract of land in Glenburn, just north of the Yarra Valley near the town of Yea. Christened Sparkletown, after daughter Olive’s love of all things shiny and new, when complete, the vineyard will be planted exclusively to Nebbiolo, comprising six clones on three different rootstocks at three different densities. Alongside their vines, and in true Tuscan style, the duo also nurture an organic olive grove. For now, five varieties are planted on just one acre, with plans to fill one side of the amphitheatre-shaped site in the coming years, ending up with up to 10 acres. Rosalind explains that while it’s a project that’s very much in its infancy (the established one acre is still five years from producing a viable crop) they expect to work towards a range of single varietal and single-site estate oils in the future. As they wait for their grove to come to fruition, Luke and Rosalind have wasted no time in immersing themselves in the world of high-quality olive oil, and the last few years have been spent researching, travelling, tasting and absorbing olive culture across Australia. As part of their journey, the pair have teamed up with Umberto Frattali, a legend of the grove in Victoria. Frattali is a grower-producer with 50 years of experience in the olive oil industry. Not only have they drawn on Umberto’s deep understanding of farming and production in the development of their home grove, Luke and Rosalind have also collaborated to create a local version of the unique, fresh, spicy and green style of olive oil that they enjoyed so much on their trips to Tuscany (a style they have found frustratingly hard to find made from local olives). This first release is made exclusively from the Frantoio variety, harvested from Frattali’s meticulously managed groves in Yea, with a portion also drawn from a grove in Taggerty. Aljoscha Goldschmidt of Corzano e Paterno—who knows a thing or two about premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil—once referred to Frantoio as the “Sangiovese” of the Tuscan olive varieties—the most noted olive variety of the region and one of the most highly acclaimed oil varieties in the world. Oils made from Frantoio have a flavour profile that can be characterised as intensely fresh with complex spice and peppery aromas—and this is precisely what is delivered here! Please note, that due to the small quantity, we are only offering this release to our on-premise customers.