Background

Willow Creek has been in the Rabie family since the late seventeen hundreds.  In 1999 Andries planted the first olive trees amongst the vineyards, table grapes, wheat and vegetables on the farm.  In 2002, the first oil was pressed with an Oliomio press with a capacity of 50kg per hour.  Since the very first year of producing oil, Willow Creek has been blessed with awards.  In 2003 they were able to upgrade to a 500kg per hour two stage Pieralisi decanter.  And in 2007,  increased their capacity further by acquiring a 3,5 tonne per hour Alfa Laval decanter.  They feel privileged to say that through the years the quality of Willow Creek’s extra virgin olive oil has been confirmed by numerous International awards.

The terroir of the Nuy Valley lends itself perfectly for growing high quality olives.  The calcium rich soils, the Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters, the high variances between day and night temperatures, the winter rainfall of 160mm – 180mm annually along with access to the Keerom dam which ensures they can irrigate when, and as much as needed, all aid in the flavour development of the olives and ensures top quality oil.

Willow Creek pressed 180,000 litres olive oil this season and 270 ha have been planted with 173,000 olive trees.

The cultivars are Coratina, Fantoio, FS17, Leccino, Mission, Kalamata, Noccelara del Belice, & Manzanilla. 

A nursery has also been established and besides the cultivars mentioned above (excluding FS17) the rights have been bought to propagate Koroneiki, Barnea, Askal, Maalot, Kadeshon and …