MAKING smallgoods gives two brothers plenty to get their teeth stuck into, as SARAH WARNE discovers

A little peninsula on the Croatian coast was the inspiration for the thriving family business, Istra Smallgoods.

"Mum and dad moved to Australia from Istra 35 years ago," Bernie Jurcan, 27, says of the peninsula that borders Italy.

"They initially came for a couple of years but decided they liked it and stayed.

"They say Australia is far more laid-back."

Bernie's parents Lidia and Livio Jurcan opened Istra Smallgoods in Musk near Daylesford 12 years ago after their friends - having admired the couple's traditional meat manufacturing techniques passed down through generations - told them to start a business.

"It's common in Croatia for families to dry and salt all their own meat and it's a tradition that's handed down," Bernie says.

"We make all our own sausages and cured meats like prosciutto, pancetta, cappocollo, pecenica (cured loin), and salamis."

Istra also specialises in top-of-the-range bacon, free-range-bred hams, kassler, chorizos and gluten-free sausages - all made from start to finish by the Jurcan brothers at Istra.

Bernie says he has been involved in the business since he was a kid and was ready to take over when his parents retired seven years ago.

"My brother (Sebastian) was working in Melbourne but my parents asked him to come back and run the business with me," Bernie says.

Sebastian had been working as a factory supervisor but was happy to put his managerial background to use a little closer to home.

"Sebastian took over the sales side and I do most of the manufacturing," Bernie says.

Bernie says sourcing produce from Western Plains Pork is what ensures the quality of the meat is second to none.

"If the animal is bred free range it has more room to move. Better muscle use carries through and enhances the quality of the meat," Bernie says.

"It's hard to find top quality pork producers because a lot of pork farmers have killed off their big sows."

Bernie says once the meat arrives, the traditional drying methods allow the true taste of the meat to come through.

"We use special drying, salting and cooking processes to ensure the meat holds its flavour.

"I love it. I can't stop eating it."

In 2005 Istra Smallgoods really shook things up and began selling their produce wholesale.

"We now send our meats all over the place from the Mornington Peninsula to inner-city Melbourne."

To complement its range of gourmet meats, the business also sells olives, fresh pasta, pasta sauces, European biscuits and top-quality coffee from its store in Musk.

Bernie says business is booming, particularly around Easter and Christmas.

"By the time Christmas comes I'm sick of looking at ham."