May 1999
The weekend we sold out.
We opened in a tin shed on a working dairy farm at Metricup over a long weekend, expecting 200 visitors a day. 7,500 people came in three days, and every last piece of chocolate went with them.
About MRCC
From a tin shed to a WA icon.
Two lifelong friends, one farm in Metricup and an idea that sold out in three days. Western Australia's Favourite Chocolate Since 1999.
In 1997, Patrick Coward and Martin Black bought a farm in the Margaret River wine region and pictured a chocolate factory with a tasting room, modelled on the cellar doors around it. It opened in 1999. We haven't looked back.
Our founders
Two friends. One sweet idea.
Patrick Coward and Martin Black met in 1969, aged five, across the street from each other in Kewdale. Both were children of British migrants. They've been best friends ever since.
In January 1998, a brainstorm after a day of wine tastings sparked the idea for a chocolate company. Martin, a self-confessed lifelong chocolate lover, needed little convincing. In June 1999 they registered the chocolate and coffee company names on the same day, sure the two would be the perfect match for the region.
Early on they worried chocolate might be seasonal, so they branched into preserves and planted a vineyard. That's how our sister businesses, Providore, Coward & Black, and the Margaret River Coffee Company began.
Where it happens today.
Two factories and a city store, all serving free tastings.
How we make it
Hand-made, then and now.
Our chocolates are made and packed in Australia, using ethically sourced cocoa from multiple origins around the world. Every piece is hand-made at our two factories, in Margaret River and Swan Valley, just as it was in 1999.
Our couvertures are blended by hand, in small batches, for a creamy taste and texture all our own. Our chocolate is rich in cocoa butter, which makes the final step, tempering, both crucial and an art.
Made here, every day
More than 200 hand-made products leave our kitchens, including:
- Moulded bars, from 160g gourmet bars to our new 1kg bar
- Truffles, chocolate-coated centres and coated nougat
- Rocky road, Giant Freckles and nut clusters
- Pastelles for tasting, snacking, baking and melting
“A gold medal business.”
At a glance.
1999
Doors open at Metricup
7,500
Visitors in our first three days
200+
Hand-made chocolates and gourmet products
1M+
Visitors to our factories each year
Milestones, sweetly.
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1997
The farm
Patrick and Martin buy a 108-acre working dairy farm in the Margaret River wine region.
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1998
The idea
In January, a brainstorm after a day of wine tastings sparks the chocolate company.
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1999
Doors open
In May, the tin shed at Metricup welcomes 7,500 visitors in three days and sells out.
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2000
Swan Valley
In December, our second factory opens on West Swan Road.
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2001
Made official
Then Prime Minister John Howard officially opens the Swan Valley factory.
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2006–2009
Twice the size
Both factories are doubled in size.
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2011
Into the city
Our Perth City store opens on Murray Street, and our partnership with the Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise begins.
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2012
Hello, Swampy
Our chocolate Western Swamp Tortoise launches.
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2014
Sambarino
Our Sambarino chocolate liqueurs launch, made at our sister brand Providore's Swan Valley premises.
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2016
Quokka friends
We partner with The Rottnest Foundation and the Rottnest Island Authority.
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Now
Growing & evolving
We’re always looking for ways to enhance our product range, regularly introducing exciting limited-edition releases to keep our selection fresh, innovative and interesting.
Taste the next chapter.
Entry and tastings are still free. Come and see what we've been making.