Happy faces: Ken Dugan, Joan Dugan and Tim Dugan have produced olive oil at their property in Cobram East for more than 20 years.
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Cockatoo Grove has taken out a gold award and group high score of 86 per cent from consumer group Choice in their December 2021 olive oil review.
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The Cobram East-based and family owned producer was awarded the highest score of 25 Australian and international oils sampled and was the only one to reach a gold standard.
The oil underwent extensive quality testing at an accredited lab in Wagga Wagga to ensure it met the chemical and quality standards required to call an oil “extra virgin”.
Points were awarded to each extra-virgin oil based on smell, flavour and overall impressions through chemical and show judge-style testing.
Cockatoo Grove founders Ken and Joan Dugan have been producing award-winning certified organic olive oils for more than 20 years at their property on the Murray River.
“It is a great honour to be awarded the top scorer in the Choice olive oil review,” Ken Dugan said.
“This result feels like the ultimate testimony to our focus on quality and taste throughout the annual growing and harvesting season and we are delighted our oil has been recognised in this way.”
Row on row: Olive trees on the Cobram East property.
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Tim Dugan explained they owe part of their success to the unique recipe for success available on their property in Cobram East, on the banks of the Murray.
“We think it’s a variety of reasons; the soil is good, the rainfall is consistent and more plentiful than other regions ... we think it’s a great balance for a great combination.”
And with their recent win, business is looking better than ever.
“It’s nice for customers to see a product and see a Choice award on it because it’s been independently rated as being very good,” Mr Dugan said.
“We’re a 100 per cent Aussie-owned family business and we’re really appreciative that we’ve won.”
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