A landmark rural estate in the NSW Southern Tablelands has officially hit the market, offering a rare opportunity to acquire an award-winning olive enterprise paired with significant landholding and heritage charm.
Hopeful Ranch, located at 3326 Peelwood Road, Peelwood, is the long-established home of the renowned ALTO extra virgin olive oils and table olives. Held across 745 hectares over three freehold titles, the property has been listed for sale via an Expressions of Interest campaign.
A Proven Olive Operation with National Recognition
Established in 1999, Hopeful Ranch has built a strong reputation for premium olive production, cultivating approximately 20,000 olive trees. The grove features highly regarded varieties including Arbequina, Black Italian, Correggiola, Frantoio and Hardy’s Mammoth.
ALTO products have supplied some of Australia’s most prestigious kitchens, including Saint Peter (Sydney), Rockpool (Melbourne) and Parliament House in Canberra, underscoring the operation’s quality and consistency.
A Lifetime Connection to the Land
Managing Director Robert Armstrong has a deep personal connection to the property, having visited the farm for over 50 years before purchasing it from his stepfather as a sheep operation. Rather than following the regional trend toward viticulture, Mr Armstrong chose to pursue olive production—an interest sparked during his time running a restaurant in Singapore.
“What began very simply quickly showed us we needed to become more professional,” Mr Armstrong said. “Over time, every planting improved as we learned how to grow and produce truly beautiful table olives.”
Today, the business supports a small full-time team and operates as a well-established, vertically integrated enterprise.
Ideal Climate and Natural Setting
The Southern Tablelands’ climate has proven ideal for olive cultivation, offering reliable annual rainfall of around 700–770mm, a strong temperature range and fertile soils.
Over the decades, extensive tree planting beyond olives has transformed the once-barren land into a thriving natural environment, attracting abundant birdlife and native wildlife, including kangaroos.
“It’s a wonderful environment,” Mr Armstrong said. “That connection with nature is what I will miss the most.”
Now in their 80s, Mr Armstrong and his wife Emilia are planning a move closer to the coast, prompting the sale of the property.
Two Historic Homesteads with Flexible Use
In addition to its productive agricultural assets, Hopeful Ranch includes two historic residences:
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The main homestead, dating back to the 1870s, features six bedrooms and has been thoughtfully extended using local stone.
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The second residence, constructed of timber and stone, includes a large bedroom, attic sleeping area, fireplaces and full amenities.
Both homes offer flexibility for family living, staff accommodation or rental income.
Strong Fundamentals and Future Upside
Colliers Agribusiness Executive Nicholas Warmington described the listing as a rare opportunity to acquire a “charming and highly regarded, turn-key rural estate” with scope for future diversification.
Beyond olives, the property supports approximately 460 hectares of arable grazing land, an estimated carrying capacity of 3,100 DSE, excellent livestock infrastructure and strong underlying land value driven by pasture improvement and water security.
Water assets include 4.5 kilometres of Cooksvale Creek frontage, multiple rain-fed storage dams and 200,000 litres of rainwater storage.
Preliminary assessments also indicate strong potential for carbon farming initiatives, presenting an additional revenue stream for future owners.
Well-Located and Industry-Backed
Hopeful Ranch is located 45km from Crookwell, 89km from Goulburn and 156km from Canberra, providing convenient access while maintaining privacy and scale.
The sale comes amid continued growth in Australia’s olive industry. In 2025, the national harvest reached approximately 125,000 tonnes, producing 14.5 million litres of olive oil, with consumer demand increasingly favouring premium, locally produced products.
While Australia remains a net importer of olive oil and table olives, established producers like ALTO are well-positioned to capitalise on the rising demand for quality and provenance.
A Rare Rural Opportunity
Combining award-winning horticulture, historic residences, strong land fundamentals and future diversification potential, Hopeful Ranch presents a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking more than just a working farm—offering a lifestyle deeply connected to land, nature and long-term value.
