A 74-acre farm on the island produces high-end olive oil in its unique microclimate. Now the two parcels are up for auction.
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When you think of an olive farm, you probably picture fragrant rows of trees glistening with ripe fruit under a Tuscan sun. Makes sense, since around 80 per cent of the world’s olive oil is produced in countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia.
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But would you believe there’s one just across the Salish Sea on Salt Spring Island, quietly producing extra virgin olive oil that’s so prized it retails for over $600 a litre and is used in high-end restaurants across Canada?
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And now, the masterminds of this magical enclave have decided it’s time to sell. The property known simply as the Olive Farm on the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands is the brainchild of Sheri Braun and her late husband George Braun.
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They spent years researching conditions across Canada before settling on Salt Spring’s Fulford Valley as the only place with a microclimate both mild and dry enough to grow olives at scale. Their 30-hectare property, established in 2010, is Canada’s only commercial olive oil farm.
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The farm now has 750 olive trees and produces the only extra virgin oil in the country. Even at $625 per litre, it always sells out and there is a wait-list to get it.
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Now Sheri Braun has decided it’s time to retire and pass this agricultural gem on to new owners.
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CLH Law, a firm specializing in sales of farms and ranches, is selling the Olive Farm in two parcels in an online auction at CLHbid.com on Aug. 12, with bids for each starting at $2.19 million. The auction has already drawn interest from prospective buyers in Canada, Colorado, California and Texas.
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Sheri Braun hopes the buyers will continue and even expand the olive oil growing and processing operation.
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“We’re pleased to support Sheri as she looks to turn her dream project over to a new owner,” said Roy Carter, CEO of CLHbid.com. “The olive production is increasing annually as the trees mature and the property’s plentiful irrigation and unused land provides additional opportunities to scale-up production.”
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The south-facing property is at the base of Mount Maxwell, five minutes from Fulford Harbour where B.C. Ferries offers eight daily sailings to Swartz Bay near Victoria. There is also a direct ferry from Long Harbour to Vancouver, and it can be accessed by float plane from the city in about 20 minutes.
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The first parcel is 36 acres and has an olive grove, creek, waterfall, producing hay fields, a modern shop with equipment to grind and mill the olives, an irrigation system, greenhouse and small home. The second is 38 acres including a Tuscan-villa-style two bedroom home overlooking the Fulford Valley.
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The high bidder can also choose to buy the farm equipment, olive mill and malaxers — a device used in the olive oil extraction process.
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“Given that this sale is offering 74 beautiful green acres in one of the world’s most desirable locations, along with one of Canada’s most comfortable climates, we expect tremendous interest from across North America from people looking to carry on Sheri and George’s impressive legacy and business, and anyone simply looking for a spectacular place to live,” said Carter.
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