IN 1982, Franc and Marija Vodusek purchased "Rich Fields" from the Forge family and the adjoining property "Glen Loth" from the Bruce family in 1984.
Both properties had not changed title since 1870 and out of homage to the origins of both properties "Rich Glen" was formed.
In 1997 Franc and his son Daimien planted 36,000 olive trees and with the addition of a state–of–the–art processing plant in 2001, the family started to make extra virgin olive oil.
The processing plant enabled them to harvest and press the olives within a couple of hours thus producing one of the freshest and finest Australian first cold–pressed extra virgin olive oils ("EVOO") in the market.
After a number of years, Daimien and his wife Rosalind Vodusek – a qualified chef in her own right – moved onto the property.
Together they sought the same dream; to raise their family on the farm with good old– fashioned work ethics and values.
When COVID hit, like many business owners, Ros and Daimien had to rethink how to run their business.
An idea surfaced to pivot their business and open a quaint store in town as the locals had always been the Vodusek's biggest supporters.
The response was amazing and the soon found that they had outgrown their first storefront.
"The little shop was an amazing restart and re–boot for us, but we knew once the country opened up we just couldn't provide the customer service that we are known for," Ros said.
"So we have moved to a much bigger space two doors down which will allow us to provide our locals and visitors with a quality experience."
Ros' passion for sourcing local and regional produce from farmers and producers around them sees the Rich Glen Provedore packed full delicious artisan dairy items, the famous Milawa bread, wood fired pizza bases, sauces and condiments, small goods and health foods.
Their 'just add cheese' section where you can build your own platter box is becoming a favourite, as is their new chocolate and lolly wing.
With the success of the Provedore Daimien and Ros have moved the skin care side of their business into the little store which has just opened and called the Rich Glen Orangerie.
The Orangerie is home to the beautiful diverse range of Rich Glen's all–natural, skin care, baby care, natural remedies, artisan soaps, aromatherapy candles and eco–friendly home goods along with unique Australian made skin and body products.
"We decided to call the quaint little store the Orangerie because we plan to build an 'orangerie' in the courtyard next door and we have visions of the courtyard leading into a wellness space," Ros said.
The Orangerie and Provedore are open 7 days a week in the heart of Yarrawonga so make sure you drop in this autumn and pick up gifts for yourself and your loved ones.
