Alto Olives

ALTO Olives is a family business located in the foothills of Australia's Great Dividing Range near Crookwell, New South Wales. Established in 1999 at Hopeful Ranch in the Abercrombie wilderness area, the estate features 20,000 olive trees across 15 different oil and table olive varieties of European origin, carefully selected for their suitability to the high-altitude cool climate. Since their first harvest in 2003, their extra virgin olive oils have consistently won awards at major competitions including the New York and Los Angeles International EVOO Competitions, Olive Japan, and the Sydney and Melbourne Royal Fine Food Shows.

Owner Robert Armstrong purchased his remote high country grazing property in 1999 and subsequently established the certified olive grove. An active participant in the Australian olive industry, Robert has regularly served as panel Chairman at major industry shows, including the Australian Olive Association National Show. His organoleptic and table olive training was undertaken with international experts including Professor Stan Kailis, Judy Ridgway and Dr Richard Gawel. He is passionate about refining horticultural regimes, utilising sustainable principles and honing the prestige award-winning quality of the ALTO Extra Virgin Oil and Table Olive portfolio.

Westerly Isbaih manages sales and marketing for ALTO Olives. Born in Australia, Westerly spent her formative years in South East Asia, which instilled a deep-rooted curiosity and appreciation for all things edible. She is a qualified Cordon-Bleu chef and worked in the kitchens of a hatted Sydney restaurant before transitioning to wholesale food distribution, firstly with Nicholas Foods and then Australia on a Plate, connecting Sydney's chefs and retailers to great Australian farmers and food producers. For 12 years Westerly has contributed as a highly regarded extra virgin olive oil and table olive judge and is a long-standing contributor to the Australian Olive Association (AOA) Consumer Awareness Education Committee. She is also an olive oil educator and regularly hosts EVOO tasting and appreciation masterclasses for the foodservice industry and consumers.

Their product range includes extra virgin olive oils, natural table olives, and Agridulce style vinegars. All products are certified under the Australian Olive Association's OliveCare® Code of Practice and processed in HACCP-certified facilities.