Whether pungent and au natural for dipping or herb or citrus-infused and drizzled over freshly sliced summer tomatoes, specialty olive oils, and their production and degustation, are now almost as much a part of North Bay life as our award-winning wines.
As with our wines, our olive groves thrive on the Mediterranean climate found in the Wine Country, and spoil us with a staggering variety of exquisite products. Today, Napa and Sonoma counties support about 150 olive-oil producers who press their best olives into artisanal oils.
The Olive Press, now located in the Jacuzzi Family Winery on Hwy 121, is a must for olive fans. Co-owned by Deborah Rogers, who was named 2010 Producer of the Year, The Olive Press offers complimentary olive oil tasting, a vast array of award-winning oils, delectable gifts and even harvest tools.
Another destination is DaVero Estate, a family farm in northern Sonoma County. (DaVero’s Dry Creek Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been touted as ‘green-gold love juice’ by chef Mario Batali.) For a taste of their oils, as well as other treats from their farm, you can visit their tasting room in Healdsburg.

McEvoy Ranch, in that curious section of Petaluma considered Marin County, boasts 80 acres of organic olive trees, and offers tours, tastings, and workshops. You can even buy an organic tree to start your own orchard.
Finally, from December through February, you can go wild with all things olive as the Sonoma Valley celebrates the annual Olive Season. There are curing workshops, tastings, classes, olive-themed menus, events such as Martini Madness, live music, family activities, and art exhibitions. For more on top artisan olive oil producers in the Wine Country, click here.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors