Visiting Olio Bello in the Margaret River Region

I always thought olive oil was simply just olive oil. That was until I visited Olio Bello Olive Oil in the Margaret River Region and found out there is a lot more to this product than meets the eye, or lips I should say.

Okay so there was no wine at this stop, however I am a sucker for afternoons at home full of fresh bread, balsamic, olive oil and yummy treats while enjoying a glass of vino or five. So when the Margaret River Region Visitor Centre suggested I stop in to Olio Bello, I couldn’t say no at the opportunity of stocking up my tasty snack cupboard.

The lovely Shellie at Olio Bello spent some time telling us about the Western Australian owned company. It was fascinating to find out that Olio Bello Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is in fact certified organic and everything is made on their beautiful property in the South West of WA. They have 10,000 trees and grow 14 different varieties of olives from Greece, Italy, Spain and France.

The olives are all hand picked and then cold pressed straight away. Pressing the olives straight away ensures full flavour and complexity is in every bottle of oil, resulting in a high quality product. Olio Bello prides themselves on their processes which is perhaps why they have won the most awards for an organic olive oil producer in Australia.

I loved walking into Olio Bello, the bright green all around me brought back memories of tasting freshly made olive oil in Tuscany in Italy – I was amazed at the vibrant green colour, having never seen oil that colour before and the taste was simply sensational!

You can try all the Olio Bello products (oils, sauces, dukkah) for free at the tasting counter using toothpicks and fresh bread they make themselves. Funnily enough there is even an order you should try them all in, much like wine tasting – working from the more subtle oils up to the taste bud explosion oils. Olio Bello have the largest range of certified organic EVOO’s in Australia!

Shellie also explained to us that the “pressed” oils differ from the “infused” oils as whole fruits/items are actually put in the press with the olives. Yum!

You can purchase all the oils, from small bottles up to big jerry cans and they also have beauty products and merchandise. On the property is an alfresco cafe which was simply bustling when we were there – always a good sign!!

After trying through the Olio Bello range I just HAD to buy the new Asian Sensation Pressed EVOO (whole fresh garlic, ginger and chilli are added to the olives at pressing), the Hot & Spicy Chilli Dukkah and the oh so tasty Mandarin Chilli Dipping Sauce. Shellie also chucked in a small bottle of Parmesan Infused EVOO – cheese and oil, GENIUS!

It’s safe to say I’ll be stopping in to Olio Bello on my future trips to the Margaret River Region, it truly is “beautiful oil”as the name Olio Bello translated means. For more information, please visit the Olio Bello website here.

If you’re planning a trip to the Margaret River Wine Region, make sure to check out the accommodation, wine tour & attraction ideas on margaretriver.com, or email [email protected] or call (08) 9780 5911