grower profile
Duncan & Dinie Ferrier


In 1996 Duncan and Dinie Ferrier began developing Rosemary Hill Orchard with a block of 1000 stone fruit trees, and a 10 acre vineyard. The site chosen was on the highest part of their property, an area of free draining granite soils at 700 metres elevation. Although late bloomers into the fresh produce industry, the Ferriers were not shy of the hard work & challenge as they already had their well-established wool growing enterprise.
In 2010, their second son Angus returned home to join the family business, after working as a project engineer in the mining industry. The orchard was then expanded to encompass 11,000 fruit trees, and today has grown to 25,000 trees producing nectarines, peaches and plums. The wine grapes, including varieties such as Vermentino, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese are sold to Granite Belt wineries. Alongside Angus are his wife Paulette, an experienced nurse, and their twin sons, Walter & Dougal.

the varieties
an earlier harvest
As the orchard has grown in size, the fruit varieties planted have changed greatly. Originally harvest began in mid-November. Newer varieties of nectarines and peaches mean picking now begins in mid-October, with the earliest plums ready to harvest by mid-November. Recently released varieties are planted in trial blocks each year to see which perform best in flavour, timing and size.


new technology
less resources wasted
Technology has changed greatly in the 20 years since 1996. Installed in 2016 is the latest soil moisture monitoring system. This enables the Ferriers to check the soil moisture at different depths in each block at any time, all on a handy mobile phone. The system ensures the trees get the water they need to grow a good crop & none of this precious resource is wasted.


the harvest
the pickers arrive
By early October the fruit thinning is finishing & a team of motivated seasonal workers is being assembled for the all-important harvest. The picking teamwork over each variety 4 or 5 times to ensure each piece of fruit is picked at optimal maturity.
The Ferrier’s aim is to produce fresh, healthy stonefruit with the best possible flavour for their customers.


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get in touch
get in touch
PO BOX 399
Nerang, Queensland,
Australia
contact mira
contact Mira
email us: info@divinefruits.com.au
give me a call: 0417 647 963
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