Robert arrived in Australia as a 4-year-old boy from Serbia, bringing with him the flavours and traditions of his family’s homeland. Immersed in his parents’ Serbian food culture, he grew up surrounded by the art of smoking meats and preserving heritage recipes.

Robert married Bessy. Beyond their marriage, this became a true partnership in life and business. Bessy has since been actively involved in every part of Adelaide Hills Harvest’s operations.

Algis, a renowned Australian chef with Lithuanian heritage, adds his own generational knowledge and culinary expertise. His passion for cultivating raw food into unique taste experiences has earned him wide respect in the industry.

In 2018, Robert and Algis travelled with their sons to their homelands in the Balkans and Baltics. Rediscovering childhood flavours, they were inspired to recreate those tastes in South Australia. This led to sourdough and rye breads, traditional smoked meats, and by 2020, the first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oils.

Adelaide Hills Harvest now stands as a premium producer of small-batch, traditional, wholesome foods — from grove to bottle. Robert, Bessy, and Algis nurtured a reputation for quality and authenticity. Today, I (Katarina) proudly carry forward their legacy as the new owner, continuing to honour our family heritage while growing the brand for a new generation.