Each April, Mount Zero releases a limited early harvest olive oil made from 100% Picual olives picked while still green, nearly a month before the main harvest. Although this results in a lower oil yield, it captures the olives at their freshest, concentrating both flavour and naturally occurring polyphenols before they begin to soften with ripening.
Mount Zero works closely with Victorian olive growers surrounding the Grampians (Gariwerd), harvesting and cold-pressing the fruit within hours of picking to preserve freshness. The result is an unfiltered, first-press extra virgin olive oil that reflects the character of a single harvest rather than a standardised year-round blend.
The 2026 harvest opens with vibrant aromas of tomato vine, fresh radish and mustard greens before developing into a rich, fruity palate with a lingering peppery finish that is characteristic of high-quality Picual. The peppery sensation is a natural expression of the oil's polyphenol content rather than added spice.
Recommended Uses
- Grilled sourdough with sea salt
- Burrata, mozzarella and stracciatella
- Tomato salads
- Roasted pumpkin and carrots
- Grilled asparagus
- Steamed potatoes
- Poached or soft-boiled eggs
- Grilled fish and seafood
- Steak just before serving
- Minestrone and vegetable soups
- Finishing risotto
- Fresh pasta with Parmesan
- Vanilla ice cream with flaky sea salt (surprisingly good with high-polyphenol Picual)
A seasonal olive oil that captures the character of the year's first press.
Specifications
- Variety: 100% Picual
- Harvest: April 2026
- Cold pressed
- Unfiltered
- Volume: 500ml
- Origin: Grampians, Victoria
Composition / Harvest Analysis
2026 Harvest Analysis
• Total Polyphenols:
231 ppm
Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants responsible for the peppery finish and much of the flavour complexity found in premium extra virgin olive oil. Higher levels generally indicate earlier harvesting and fresher fruit.
• Free Fatty Acidity (FFA):
0.30%
Extra virgin olive oil must have an acidity below 0.8%. Lower acidity is an indicator of healthy fruit and careful handling between harvest and pressing.
• Cold Pressed
The olives are pressed within hours of harvest at controlled temperatures to preserve aroma, flavour and naturally occurring compounds.
Please Note • This item can only be picked up. Please email us for shipping rates.
