The Chaloner name has its roots in the United Kingdom.

Richard Godolphin Walmesley Long inherited the Gisborough Estate including Gisborough Hall from his uncle, Admiral Thomas Chaloner. He became the 1^st Baron of Gisborough and changed his name to Chaloner.

From there a new lineage of Chaloners began.

The story we are sharing here, starts in 1992, on a stretch of land beneath the Stellenbosch Mountains.

It was virgin land.

There was nothing but overgrown veld, alien vegetation, granite soils and months of hard manual labour.

Yet, inspired by the backdrop of the magnificent mountains and mesmerizing sunsets, newly-weds Perry and Karen had a vision of one day developing a farm less ordinary. 

Like any success story, trial and error and constantly thinking out the box and taking calculated risks was required for them to make their mark in this new country they were to call home.

Initially, they set out with a plan to grow a sustainable farm of fruit bearing trees – olives, plums, lemons and Seville oranges.

But that plan didn’t really enhance the bank balance nor appease the bank manager, so they had to look at alternative ways of using their harvests to add value.

Perry, an entrepreneur with an enquiring mind and a passion for food, started dabbling with his produce.

His friends recollect his kitchen was a combustion of interesting aromas – some good, some less memorable, some even testing the bounds of friendship.

But his perseverance paid off, and his search for a sublime full flavoured zesty, orange marmalade was soon realized.

His first Chaloner Seville Orange marmalade was bottled in 1998 and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

But never one to accept the ordinary, Perry spent a great deal of time experimenting with unusual flavour combinations and using farm grown herbs, like lavender and rosemary.

This was very much influenced by his travels and interactions with French artisanal farmers who have masterly perfected the art of “herb infusions” and bringing to the fore the impeccable fusions of the five flavour profiles – sweet, bitter, salty, sour and umami.

Maverick combinations of a variety of Tapenades soon followed.

So, Perry slowly evolved from farmer, to jam maker to master olive oil blender – and with Karen’s passion and knowledge of whisky (Karen was previously Marketing Manager for both J&B and Johnnie Walker and co-owned the Whisky Live Festival) – this engaging couple delved into the art of extra virgin olive oil blending.

And herein lies the real ethos and magic behind the Chaloner brand – the subtle art of blending.  And being bold and not yielding to compromise. Perry’s mandate is always – flavour first.

So just like a perfumer or whisky blender, the art of the Oil Master Blender in understanding the many different flavours in olive oil is like the work of a composer: not only do you need to completely understand the musical characteristics of every instrument, but you must also understand how to combine them to build an unforgettable, spellbinding symphony.”

In the words of American entrepreneur, Jim Rohn – “If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”  A quote that succinctly sums up their quest to deliver locally produced, premium products, uncompromising in quality and singular in flavour.  Products that would earn their places as sought after pantry staples.

Gisborough Hall is the original home of the Chaloner family, and is today a four star country house hotel that combines modern day luxury and traditional features within its ivy clad walls.

Situated near the cobbled market town of Guisborough, on the edge of the North York Moors and in Captain Cook country, Gisborough Hall is surrounded by stunning open and unpopulated countryside, not far from the coastal towns of Whitby and Saltburn-by-the-sea.

Gisborough Hall has preserved many traditional features from the original Victorian building, whilst adding luxurious touches to please the modern day traveler.  Seventy-one traditionally designed bedrooms offer comfort and luxury suitable for leisure and corporate guests alike.

The Award-winning Chaloner’s Restaurant provides a fine dining experience using many locally sourced ingredients, whilst the informal De Brus Bar & Grill offers comfort food in a contemporary atmosphere.

The hotel is an idyllic retreat where you can fully unwind or make the most of our picturesque location and work up an appetite with a walk in the hills or along the Cleveland Way before dining in our restaurant or bar & grill. For those seeking a more relaxing treat, The Revival Zone’s skilled therapists will help soothe and rebalance your body and mind.

Go to https://www.gisborough-hall.com/ for the story they share and to book your stay.