“I used to work at Prada in Rome and I returned to Australia when the Sydney store opened, but I’ve always wanted to go back,” she said in an interview with Rete Italia.
“My husband, David Ryan, has always wanted to spend six months in Australia and six months in Italy.”
With parents hailing from the Abruzzese town of Torricella Sicura and the Calabrian town of Spilinga, Gilda is no stranger to Italian quality.
Following a trip to Italy in 2015, she was inspired to open Eccellenza – Excellence Made in Italy.
“We visited Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria and Abruzzo and my cousin took us to the Montecchia family oil mill, where they produce organic extra virgin olive oil DOP,” she said.
“We immediately became friends with the family.”
Gilda and David also formed a professional relationship with the family; almost on impulse, they decided to buy their oil and import it to Australia.
Once the olive oil was sold, the couple decided to embark on a new adventure.
With a background in banking and an excellent nose for business, David thought it would be a good idea to return to Italy, this time for a longer stay, to conduct research and development and get to know the producers of quality Italian products.
For almost a year between 2017 and 2018, Gilda and David travelled around Italy visiting vineyards, oil mills, coffee roasters, artisan pasta factories, producers of authentic sauces and much more, with the aim of importing typical Italian products of the highest quality.
The pair forged strong relationships with significant individuals, such as the presidents of Confesercenti Abruzzo and the Apulian olive oil consortium.
Italian suppliers pushed for the opening of a store in Australia, so that they could promote their products abroad.
Gilda and David decided to open the store in Mount Eliza, on the Mornington Peninsula.
A popular holiday destination, the area boasts stunning beaches as well as excellent wineries and natural hot springs.
“We started wholesale in 2016 and the company has grown organically,” Gilda said.
“Now we have our own boutique and we recently opened an online store.
“COVID-19 permitting, we’ll also resume trips to Italy, to visit some of our producers and to participate in major trade fairs such as Vinitaly and Cibus.”
Gilda enjoys the lifestyle and natural splendour of the Mornington Peninsula, partly because it reminds her of Italy, but also because there are many regular visitors who are passionate about Italian food and wine.
“We have a range of 300 selected products, from oil to pasta and sauces,” she said.
“We have bruschetta, olives, preserves, jams, honey, truffle products, coffee, chocolates and wines.
“Our mission is to import and distribute typical products of each of Italy’s regions, to share with our customers the history, traditions and culture of each place.”
