With Manton’s creek running through the 10 hectares that originally functioned as a s dairy farm (the old corrugated iron milking shed is still there), this Dairy comes kettle farm comes self sufficient agricultural farmhouse have been transformed by Penny & Graeme Hart. From bare paddock with cattle and a few pine trees the couple have transformed their land into a thriving farm for over 23 years.
When they bought the property in 1997, beef cattle were happily grazing on the fertile pastures but Pennys & Graeme wanted something else. For the first two years they have planted indigenous trees and bushes. Then gradually created their wetland and in 2000, with the help of family and friends, they planted an impressive 800 olive tree grove over a weekend (I wish I was there to bottle a bit of that energy?). Their grove is made of Frantoio, Leccino & Pendolino, varieties that they believed would do well on the Peninsula. Around 500 more trees followed over the years. These Tuscan varieties make wonderful high polyphenol extra virgin olive oils which have won multiple awards.
In 2010 the Harts embarked on their cider journey and an apple & pear orchard was planted. Their first cider was produced in 2014 and later in 2015 their first commercial batch was made. They added another few hundred heritage apple cider trees in 2016. Hart’s Farm apple cider is made from traditional English and French apple varieties and has won multiple awards. Their ciders are naturally fermented and bottle conditioned in a range of styles. This winter we indulge in their Spiced Cider, warmed up with a cinnamon stick and a slice of blood orange.
