Several years ago, while researching for our Australian Regional Food Guide website, we visited Cowra and from our bed and breakfast could look down on the Billimari processing works of La Barre Olives, then only in its infancy,

Now this fine olive oil has become renowned within the Sydney and Canberra restaurant scene as a leading producer and supplier of award-winning extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Latest news is that it is now available through selected delis and retailers for private consumers to enjoy every day.

La Barre has supplied restaurants including Fratelli Paradiso, Bambini Trust, Bilson’s, Aria and major hotels including the Hyatt, Intercontinental, Shangri-La and Four Seasons and founder Charles de la Barre de Nanteuil says moving into the retail space was a natural progression. “We have always had such amazing feedback and repeat business from top restaurateurs, we figured the consumer should have access to our product beyond the restaurant environment.”

La Barre olives have been grown at two olive groves in Cowra and Yass, NSW since 2003 – the combination of olives from two different groves and growing conditions produce olives with a great variety of attributes, which means La Barre produces olive oils with specific qualities and flavour that are consistent all year round.

Colin Fassnidge, head chef at the hatted Four in Hand restaurant has been a La Barre customer for a while. “La Barre offers a mild, fresh fruity taste, which is not too overpowering for the Australian palate. It has a hint of pepperiness and bitterness, which results in a versatile oil that can be used in a wide range of dishes.”

La Barre was instrumental in establishing Billimari Olive Processing plant in 2005, which is now one of the biggest facilities in NSW and represents the latest technology in olive oil extraction. Their philosophy that ‘less is more’ means the fruit is harvested just before it is ripe and transferred to the plant where it is process within 15 hours.

La Barre is now stocked in leading delis in NSW and Canberra.