Background

Merrich Estate was established in 1998. Purchased as a run-down property, Shirley, a retired TV Presenter, who had directed many DIY programmes, tourism programmes and hosted her own morning TV show, went to work scripting, producing and directing the improvements on the Estate turning it into one of the most beautiful properties in the Swan Valley. The Estate, owned and run by the Blignaut family, is a family run business, where son, Cornel Blignaut and his sons Renier and Christopher actively contribute towards the farming of the olive grove, vegetables and chefs herb garden, Restaurant management, menus, food planning and of course wine selections!

The Olive grove was planted in 1998, the historic cottage, built in 1924 was lovingly restored. Calling it the Thyme & Again Cottage a popular bed and breakfast.

Then a full table olive processing facility was built, followed by building the Olive Shop, the first Boutique Olive Shop in WA. In the early days the olives sold out within a short time. As the crops increased the range grew, and with it the demand for these naturally fermented olives. Merrich Estate, has clients all over the World who claim to be addicted to the taste of these fresh flavoured olives.

The last phase of the property development in 2002, was the designing and building of the lovely two story Tuscan style Restaurant.

In keeping with changing marketing and eating trends, it was decided to expand the downstairs cellar, Olive Shop dining area and garden into a Bistro style restaurant. Catering for clients who along with friends are after a light meal, glass of wine or beer and a casual Country atmosphere.

The cosy, Country style look of the beautiful downstairs area now becoming a popular hot spot along West Swan Road where patrons can enjoy the new bistro-style menu. Featuring a great selection of mouth- watering tapas dishes, designed to be shared as an entrée or over a long lunch. The tasty tapas treats are prepared daily ensuring that the cuisine stays as fresh as possible. Full a l a carte dining is also offered with Mediterranean style rustic food on offer. Beers on tap and a selection of fine wines, utilising the new liquor licence which allows for guests to have a glass of wine or beer without a meal.

Big Brook wines from Pemberton can be tasted before selection of wine to accompany the meals ordered.

The Olive Tree

Merrich Estate produces award winning Extra Virgin Olive oil and table olives. All oils and olives are grown on the Estate, growing organically and producing table olives that are totally chemical and preservative free.

All olives for either oil or table are handpicked, with Shirley as the driving force behind the annual harvest. All table olive processing is done on the Estate, no chemicals or preservatives are used in the fermentation process of the table olives. Fresh marinades and different styles of table olives available in the shop. During harvest time, Shirley is often seen hat on head, furiously picking and stacking crates of olives on the trailer behind her 4x4 bike, with her three great Danes as company, from dawn to dusk.

The Olive shop stocks and sells a number of varietals of oil and olives. The Olives are marinated using fresh herbs. The garlic and rosemary kalamatas, hot green chilli and the Moroccan styles being the most popular. 3 Varietals of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be tasted before purchasing.

The Tuscan style building which houses both the Olive Shop and the Restaurant was built in 2002, the original “Tin Shed” which formed the Olive Shop, the first boutique olive shop in WA, is still there, and the two storey building was designed around the Olive Shop as the owners could not bear the thought of gutting the original shop! The Olive Shop now leads into a downstairs cellar, which is known as Bleenos Bistro.

It was decided to change the name to Bleeno's Bistro. Named by one of the Grandsons, the name Bleeno, derived from the family name, Blignaut, which means calm ruler/Monarch and pronounced Bleeno. The Blignaut family crest now forms part of the logo of the Bleenos Bistro. The Blignaut family, owners of the Estate, immigrated to Australia from South Africa, 12 years ago and brought with them a wealth of experience and family traditions. The Blignaut family originally come from Monthelon in the Champagne/Reims area. The logo, discovered in the archives in France is the family crest designed hundreds of years ago and after much research, discovered and along with the family tree, depicts the French, Scottish and German heritage of the family, now adorning a place of honour at Merrich Estate. Maybe this is where the family’s love of good wine and champagne come from!

The Merrich Estate hot olives served with freshly baked bread a “hot” favourite with a glass of wine or beer. Seating for the café is either indoors or outside on the al fresco lawned area overlooking the beautiful Swan Valley.

Bleeno's Bistro at Merrich Estate

Downstairs, guests are seated in a cosy cellar area or outside on the completely enclosed verandah or on the lawns surrounded by trees and garden overlooking the Valley. The Restaurant won its first Gold Plate Award 8 months after opening in 2003. Our Chef’s headed by Nicholas from Mauritius, create freshly flavoured dishes based on seasonal produce. With his remarkable passion for food, our Chef enjoys a quick chat with his patrons and does not mind sharing a bit of information on the dishes he is preparing. Produce is brought in on a daily basis, some vegetables and all our herbs used in the kitchen are grown on the Estate and it is not unusual to find Nicholas or Sophia, in the Chefs Herb Garden selecting, tasting and picking his daily herbs for his tantalising dishes. As Bleenos takes pride in serving fresh food, very little is frozen or pre-cooked so from time to time we might run out of your first choice. By booking in advance, it does make it easier for our Chef to plan your meal.

Our friendly staff will try their best to make you feel at home and serve you to the best of their ability.

Functions and Country Style weddings are arranged and planned according to the clients needs. Menus designed individually and seasonally.

Bleenos is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11.00 for lunch. Dinner Friday and Saturday nights.

Focus on:

· Fresh seasonal produce

· Modern, International Cuisine

· Relaxed indoor a la carte dining or casual alfresco

· Olives and oil produced from Estate grown produce

· New liquor extended licence, enjoy a drink without a meal