Our Story

 

Where we are

Our grove is located in Dja Dja Wurrung Country which covers a large area of central western Victoria, Australia. We acknowledge the current custodians and their elders, past, present & future. In naming Yalla-y-poora we sought & gained permission from the current custodians. In the language of the Dja Dja Wurrung people “Yalla-y-poora” roughly translates as "a group of small trees" or "a coppice" (a multi trunked tree) - just like our olive grove.

On our eastern boundary the Loddon river with its riparian corridor of native plants, natural grasses and magnificent red-gum stands provide spectacular river views and a home for abundant native fish and bird life. This has been complimented by our extensive native boundary plantings.

In the grove, rich clay loam soils, the legacy of an ancient volcano, provide the ideal foundation for the health and vitality of over 2,700 olive trees. This, together with our Mediterranean climate and our bio-dynamic farming practice creates the unique terroir of our premium EVOO.

 

What we do

Yalla-y-poora Grove is an Australian olive grove that specializes in the production of Premium Demeter certified Bio-Dynamic EVOO. This is only possible through strict adherence to the Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic Farming practice that we employ on our grove. All aspects of production from nurturing our ancient soils through grove management, harvest, processing & packaging are carried out on farm in accordance with that practice.

Just as wine producers that farm in accordance with the Australian Demeter method produce only the highest quality wines, Yalla-y-poora Grove produces only the highest quality premium EVOO.

 

Our People

Yalla-y-poora Grove is a small Australian family business operated under the guidance of Christopher Clarke. After purchasing a 40ha block on the Loddon River in Y2000 Christopher planted an initial 1,500 olive trees. This was later expanded in 2005 & 2008 to a total of just over 2,700 trees.

Although Christopher came from a electronic engineering background he quickly took to the land & embraced his love of science with the wholistic life of an olive grove managed according to bio-dynamic principals. Christopher continues to use his engineering knowledge to develop the facilities required to operate & maintain a modern “Frantoio” (this is the Italian name for an olive mill - it is also the name of one of the olive cultivars we grow) while embracing the uncertainness of farming associated with the natural annual rhythm of life in an olive grove.

While the initial plan was to farm organically, Christopher appreciated the increased benefits to soil structure & produce quality that can be achieved through farming bio-dynamically. With the encouragement of Alex Podolinsky (the pioneer of the Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic method) the grove was fully certified as Demeter Bio-Dynamic in 2005.