At the event were, from left, VBC CEO Alessandro Barberis Canonico; award winners Marilyn, Everard, Matthew and Tatjana Linke, and; VBC raw material procurement manager Davide Fontaneto. Image – Jason Cartwright.

INTERGENERATIONAL dedication and excellent preparation of quality Saxon wool has won the prestigious Vitale Barberis Canonico Wool Excellence Award for Victorian superfine growers, the Linke family at Dunkeld.

At what was also a 10th anniversary celebration of VBC’s Wool Excellence Club, the leading Italian woollen mill presented the award to Marilyn and Everard Linke, and Matthew and Tatjana Linke of EML Glenholme in Launceston earlier this month.

The company said the prestigious award recognizes the family’s unwavering dedication to producing exceptional Saxon wool. The annual award highlights the achievements of VBC’s Wool Excellence Club members, celebrating their dedication to sustainability, animal welfare, innovation, and producing superfine Saxon Merino wool—the cornerstone of VBC’s luxurious fabric production.

To qualify for the award, growers must be part of the Wool Excellence Club, which selects members based on stringent criteria, including sustainable practices and exceptional wool quality.

The Linke family, custodians of EML Glenholme since the mid-19th century, is now managed by Matthew Linke, the fifth generation of the family, with his father Everard.

Since the early 2000s, the Linke family has focused on producing superfine Saxon wool, achieving an average fineness of less than 17 microns and the wool from their flock of 2400 Saxon Merino sheep has earned numerous awards.

During shearing time, Matthew and Everard work as a father-and-son team, personally shearing and preparing their wool to VBC’s high standards.

The award was presented by VBC chief executive officer Alessandro Barberis Canonico and VBC raw material procurement manager Davide Fontaneto. It includes a cash prize and a week-long trip to the Biella region of Italy to witness the transformation of their wool into luxurious fabrics, explore VBC’s cutting-edge facilities, and meet the passionate team behind their success.

“We are very fortunate to be part of the VBC Wool Excellence Club,” Matthew Linke said.

“Being part of the club has meant that we are able to grow the wool we like to grow and has made our small farm more sustainable.”

Matthew said his father has carefully shorn the family’s sheep for 45 years.

“He maintains a meticulous classing style that has seen us achieve 22 certified 1pp bales in the last nine years, with the majority of these bought by VBC.

“We look forward to continuing to work with VBC into the future and refining what we already have.

Mr Barberis Canonico said the company was thoroughly impressed by EML Glenholme’s dedication to sustainable practices and the remarkable quality of their wool.

“Their work exemplifies the values of the Wool Excellence Club, and we are thrilled to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

“Our commitment is to continue to pursue the highest quality and style in Saxon wool,” he said.

“The long-term strategy is to protect the DNA of the Saxon Merino breed with the club’s support.

“This year, we celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary: a significant milestone that reflects the work we have been doing all these years and lays the foundation for a future collaboration and continued synergy.”

The company said the Linke family has long been recognized for its commitment to producing exceptional Saxon Merino wool. With a focus on sustainability, animal welfare, and the production of superfine wool (averaging less than 17 microns), EML Glenholme has become one of Australia’s leading wool-growing operations, VBC said.

The Launceston event brought together representatives from VBC Italy, including Mr Canonico, Mr Fontaneto, and from VBC marketing and communications, Alessandra Contessotto and Valentina Berti, alongside VBC Wool Australia, members of the Wool Excellence Club from across Australia and esteemed industry members.

Source – VBC.