For over 130 years, Wandin Valley Farms has been rooted in the fertile soil of Victoria’s Yarra Valley. From the first cherry trees planted in 1893 to today’s state-of-the-art operations, this family-run farm continues to blend passion, tradition and innovation to deliver cherries of unmatched quality.

It’s a legacy built on generations of care. “We've been fruit growers here since 1893,” shares Graeme Sebire, the family patriarch. “My grandfather started a nursery where they propagated fruit trees, so we've been associated with cherries for a long time. Joining Woolworths was a really positive move for us – it’s been great.”

Today, Graeme’s grandchildren, Paris and Reuben, are the youngest of the three generations of family members currently working on the farm, and also the fifth generation of the family to grow cherries.

Paris helps manage the operation of the farm. “With our new orchard coming into production, we will harvest from over 1000 acres across the cherry season, which runs for about 100 days,” Paris explains. “Picking at the perfect moment – when the colour and sugars are just right – is critical, and the team has done a first-class job.”

Wandin Valley Farms doesn’t rely on tradition and experience alone. The team has embraced cutting-edge technology to optimise their processes. “We’ve installed sensors on tree trunks that measure the expansion and contraction of the trees in minute microns,” Paris says. “It helps us monitor moisture uptake and decide exactly when to water, ensuring the trees thrive.”

At harvest, the cherries are hand-picked with care, before heading to their state-of-the-art packing facility. “Our technology is second to none,” explains Reuben, who helps manage production. “We use innovative technology, which sorts cherries by colour, size and defects using black-and-white, colour and infrared cameras. It takes 30 pictures of each cherry, and with artificial intelligence, we can ensure only the best cherries make it through.”

Once sorted, the cherries are rapidly cooled to preserve freshness. “Cherries are fickle, so speed is everything. We pick today, pack the next day, and it’s on a truck that night to ensure the fruit is at its best when it hits the shelves. It’s about maintaining freshness and getting that perfect cherry to Woolworths customers as quickly as possible.”

The commitment to quality doesn’t stop there. The team constantly monitors sugar levels, firmness, size and defects to ensure everything meets specification and high standards for quality.

This dedication to excellence and innovation is made possible through Wandin Valley Farms’ long-standing partnership with Woolworths. “We’ve partnered with Woolworths for over 10 years,” Paris proudly shares. “We value their support in helping us deliver the very best cherries. It’s all about understanding what people need and delivering on that promise.”

From orchard to table, every cherry at Wandin Valley Farms tells a story of family, tradition and forward-thinking innovation. It’s a journey built on respect for the land, a passion for quality, and a shared vision with Woolworths to bring the finest cherries to Australian families.

As Reuben puts it, “There’s nothing better than seeing customers enjoy the cherries we’ve worked so hard to produce.”