TOOLUNKA CREEK
OLIVES
Our Varieties and Mixes
.jpg)
Wallace
This is by far our largest olive. It is an oval shaped green olive with a meaty firm textue and a hint of lemon on the palate. It comes in 2 sizes being extra large and Jumbo. Wallace can take up to 18 Months to pickle.
.jpg)
Blonde
A large blonde green olive which has a similar shape to Kalamata. This is however a completely different variety than the Kalamata and is best pickled green. It has a sweet pickle taste.
.jpg)
Ligero
.The taste is very distinct in this ovoid shaped delight with hint of citrus on the palate. It is lighter in colour than Wallace and a little darker than Blonde. This is a very crisp olive with a refreshing after taste. Very different.
.jpg)
Sevillano
This Olive originates from Spain and has a distinctive heart shape. It has a thinner skin than our other varieties and easily absorbs the natural enhancements. They are medium in firmness and present exceptionally well on the plate. Definitely the sweetest of our green olives.
.jpg)
Early Pick Kalamata
Harvested early before heavy Riverland frosts. Our 'Toolunka Style' of Kalamata are lighter in colour and taste. Our new kid on the block is quickly becoming a firm favourite.
.jpg)
Kalamata
.This is our only black olive and has a point of difference to other black kalamatas in the market place as there is a distinct lack of vinegar taste. Vinegar can mask the true taste of the fruit. Several alternative natural additives are present in this variety which enhances the delightful natural ripened taste of this fruit.
.jpg)
Pitted
Pitted Green Wallace and Pitted Kalamata.
Martini Olives
The perfect Martini Olive. Even better in a dirty martini with a splash of our Dirty Martini Mix!
.jpg)
Tuscan Mix - (Italian)
A magnificent visual display of at least four different olives with complimenting bursts of flavour. This mix consists of Wallace, Kalamata, Tuscan, Verdale sometimes Sevillano, Blonde and Early pick Kalamata. The Tuscan olive is a medium to large sized juicy round fruit, the Verdale is a small round bright Green olive with fresh taste.
.jpg)
Gusto Mix - (Spanish)
A three green mix inclusive of Sevillano, Ligero and Wallace. For the most discerning green olive palates. Three of the best.
.jpg)
Kalamata Mix - (Greek)
A two olive mix consisting of Black Kalamata and Blonde.This combination is two different sized olives which combine well visually and compliment each other on the palate.
.jpeg)
SUSTAINABLE FARMING
.jpg)
The Toolunka workers are proud advocates for sustainable farming. We aim to foster the development and maintenance of healthy ecosystems which is not only important on our property but also important for our surrounding natural bush and wetlands.
A thirty metre no farming zone has been created from Toolunka Creek itself creating a nature strip between nature and farming. Our immediate area is home to a myriad of native bird varieties, reptiles and marsupials. Approximately five acres of land has also been cleared of fruit trees with no intentions to refarm. Native trees and wildlife now inhabit this area and a greater plan exists for replanting of more native trees. For the first time last year native quail were sighted in this area and it is unusual not to see kangaroos grazing and Heron and Ibis feeding.
Wood Ducks and Water Hens assist on the farm by eating dropped and fallen olives during and after harvest. This is not a planned process but certainly assists them and us.
We are also focused on the protection of public health in so far as growing olives that are safe for consumers, workers and surrounding communities. Toxic chemicals, chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not used at Toolunka Estate.Rainwater harvest is common place at Toolunka and all residential buildings and associated outbuildings are included in this process. Rainwater harvesting is also performed at our processing plant in Keith SA and only filtered water from this process is used in the olive pickling process.
Our business is actively involved in bolstering two regional economies being the Riverland and Tatiara regions of South Australia. We add to employment, transport, food processing and eco tourism.
It is the aim of the Toolunka workers to continue to nurture and enhance our sustainable farming and production processes.
In 2019 it was discovered that the Toolunka gully area is a breeding site for the vunerable Regent Parrot.
After lengthy negotiations an environmental water license was granted to flood the area in order to sponsor growth and regrowth of native trees.
To our amazement this timely process also enabled the breeding of Banjo Frogs.
Distribution: The Regent Parrot is endemic (only found in) to Australia. There are two separate populations: in the east they are found in south-western New South Wales, north-western Victoria and the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, while in Western Australia, they are found in the south west, where they are more numerous.Habitat: The eastern population is found in River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, floodplain, woodland and mallee. The western population is found in open forest and woodland, especially Salmon Gum, E. salmonophloia.Seasonal movements: Movement of the Regent Parrot is poorly understood, and it is considered nomadic or resident, probably linked with the availability of water.
Feeding:
The Regent Parrot eats seeds of grasses and plants and cereal crops, especially wheat. It also eats buds and flowers, insect larvae, psyllids and lerps. It forages in pairs or small parties, usually on the ground, but also in the canopy of trees or in spilled grain on the ground.Living with usThe Regent Parrot lays its eggs in hollow branches or holes in large old or dead trees near water. River Red Gums are favoured in the east and in the west, Salmon Gum woodland or often remnant roadside patches are used. The female incubates the eggs and the male feeds her by regurgitation.
.jpg)
GALLERY
