JANUARY 2017 | David Claridge

AFTER STARTING out with a small cropping business in the North West, Michael Delphin and Christie Mcleod tried a new challenge in 2014 by becoming the new owners of Hazelbrae - the largest hazelnut orchard in Tasmania; with a speciality café attached.

Located in Hagley on an estate with a lovingly restored and expanded original homestead dating back to the late 1800s, Hazelbrae is home to almost 5000 hazelnut trees across 18 hectares, planted by its previous French owners in 2005.

It has been a huge challenge learning about hazelnut growing and developing the business, but Michael and Christie have enjoyed every minute of it; even when they “go a bit nutty trying to keep up” during the really busy periods of autumn harvest, and from spring to Christmas.

“But when we finally get a chance to breathe, we are extremely proud of what we have achieved,” Christie shared

The grove currently produces more than ten tonnes of product each year, and they are expecting another record crop this season – although it will be later than usual due to the long, cold spring.

Once the trees reach full maturity it is believed the output will reach fifty tonnes a year.

“Being the largest producing farm in Tasmania, most visitors are keen to see what that looks like and how we manage it,” she added. “And our 6-year-old son, Jack has even started taking some around the farm on impromptu tours.”

The hazelnuts are available in many different shapes and sizes, and come raw, roasted and even covered in chocolate. You can purchase hazelnut oil too.

Hoping to begin developing an export market into Asia over the next 12 months, Michael and Christie will remain committed “to keeping enough premium product in Tasmania to service local supporters as they value their contribution to building the Hazelbrae business”.

Its café food is also becoming popular, as it has “a great deck with an incredible view over the orchard and Great Western Tiers”, and uses the area’s best ingredients to put together delicious hazelnut inspired dishes; with its new cook, Kylie, dreaming up some very special additions like the Hazelnut Brie Melt on the new Sunday breakfast menu.

And visitors to the estate, usually locals and tourists on the Cradle to Coast Tasting trail map, have something else to look forward to this New Year. Michael and Christie plan to organise casual, as well as formal, sunset dinner events on Fridays throughout the summer and autumn.

Closed only in the winter, Hazelbrae opens from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily, with Sunday breakfast from 8.00am.

Photo | Mike Moores