VICTORIA has two of the world's best just down the road with two Rutherglen neighbours picking up international awards in two different fields.
Gooramadda Olives and Morris Wines aren't just excelling in their own right, the two family businesses are proud to be supporting each other.
And their neighbourhood is just like "the Olympic Village", according to Gooramadda Olives owner, Rob Whyte.
"It is just great to see two neighbours in two different businesses doing really well on the international stage," he said.
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"We support each other and we have Morris' muscat on hand for each customer that wants to try our olives and David and the team have a jar of our olives sitting on the bar at the winery."
Although disappointed at first, Mr Whyte was recently awarded the silver medal for his Hardys Mammoth olive oil at the New York International Olive Oil Competition.
"We got a gold medal last year so when they told us it was a silver this year we were a bit deflated," he said.
"They mucked up the results originally and we thought we had won again, but then it took two days for them to tell us the silver result.
"But after reflection and once our trophy arrived it did sink in that our olive oil is still one of the best not just in Australia but in the world.
"And that is a pretty great achievement."
Morris Wines celebrates its 160th anniversary this year and fifth-generation winemaker, David Morris, said it was "a great time to have success".
"Winners really are grinners," he said.
"We have come home with four gold, two silver and one commended from the International Wine Challenge.
"And that is a pretty great outcome as it really is like the Oscars for winemaking."
The winery has been selected to represent Australia and is a one-in-three chance of taking out the Champion of Champions title for its old rare liqueur premium topaque.
"We are up against France with a Moët and Chandon champagne and one from Spain," he said.
Morris' was also ranked number two in Australia, only behind Penfolds, in the Real Review's Top Wineries of Australia 2019.
But despite their individual achievements these two business owners, neighbours and mates are just enjoying working side-by-side.
"There is something about not competing against each other but rather supporting each other that makes both of our businesses work," Mr Whyte said.
"We want people to make a trip to see one of us and come next door to the other and enjoy both our wine and olives."
- This story first appeared on the Border Mail.
