California Olive Oil Connection
The California Olive Oil Connection brings fresh pressed olive oils direct from farms in California. All the oils are certified extra virgin by the California Olive Oil Council.
The oil is stored in bulk containers (called fustis) and dispensed into reusable bottles. Bottles are available for sale for $2, or customers can bring in their own bottles.
This is incredible oil that is not available any where else in Pittsburgh.
The California Olive Oil Connection is operated by the Lagnese family- Cristy, David, Marco and Maria.
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The following oils are currently available:
Corto Olive Farm- Arbequina/Arbosana Blend
Corto Olive Farm is one of several agribusiness enterprises owned by the Cortopassi family. The farm is located in Stockton, which is in California’s “Central Valley.” This is the same place where Heinz grows its tomatoes for Ketchup. Corto is a large scale operation that uses a new system for growing olives called “Super High Density.” The trees are small and are planted close together. The olives are harvested mechanically. The advantage is that olives are moved from the tree to finished oil within 24 hours. The olives are milled on the farm in Corto’s state of the olive milling machine.
Learn more at: http://www.corto-olive.com/
Figueroa Farm- "Camino al Cielo" Blend
Figueroa Farm is located in Santa Ynez, and the oil is milled on the farm. It is the original farm owned by Shawn and Antoinette Addison, a prominent family in the California Olive Oil industry. They contribute proceeds from the sale of this oil to the California Olive Oil Council and their efforts to promote truth in labeling for olive oil- both domestic and imported.
Learn more at: http://www.figueroafarms.com/
Hillcrest Ranch- Manzanillo
Hillcrest Ranch is located in Sunol, a small commnity about 30 minutes north of San Francisco. The property is owned by Kathleen Elliott. I visited the farm in March 2011 and was able to meet Kathleen and spend some time with her on the farm. The farm was purchased in the early 1900s by her great Aunt Grace Elliot. It consists of 137 trees that she estimates to be about 130 years old. There are several varieties- Picholine, Mission and Manzanillo. The grove is located on top of a mountain, and is only accesible by driving up a small narrow road. The trip to the top is a bit harrowing. Kathleen purchased the property from her mother. At the time, the trees were not being harvested, so the property was a mess. She spent a number of years nurturing the trees and getting them back into production. It is an incredible story and shows the sheer grit and determination of Kathleen, and her ancestors. The results of her labor is a very special, delicious oil. The oil is crisp, grassy and peppery. She only makes a few hundred gallons per year so we are lucky to have this incredible nectar in Pittsburgh.
Learn more at: http://www.hillcrestrancholiveoil.com/
Olinda RIdge Farm- Mission/Manzanillo Blend
Olinda Ridge is located in Butte county in northern California. The olives are grown on a 10 acre grove. The trees on the property are very old- as olives have been grown on the farm since 1890.
Olinda Ridge uses natural and sustainable farming methods and a small batch-crafted process to ensure that the extra virgin olive oil has superb flavor, are of the freshest and highest quality. This oil is certified organic.
Learn more at: http://www.olindaridge.com/
Olio Nuevo- Early Harvest and Reserve Blend
Olio Nuevo is located in Paso Robles in the heart of wine country. The operation is owned by Art Kishiyama. I visited the farm in March 2011 and got to meet Art in person. Art is an engineer by training. He purchased the farm and planted the Olive trees in 2003. He has done a great job of applying modern technology to his growing operations in terms of irrigation and maintaining the grove. At the same time, almost everything is done by hand in the harvesting and processing the olives. It is a true labor of love and the results can be tasted in the oil. The Early Harvest is a true "Nuevo" oil as it is pressed and shipped immediately, without filtering or blending. The Reserve Blend is created after the oil has a chance to stablise and settle for a few months. Different oils from different segments of the farm are then blended. Art is a master blender and learned many tricks of the trade from the local wine makers in Paso Robles. The Reserve Blend is a Gold Medal winner from the California Olive Oil Council. Art is very proud of his oils and happy to share them with us in Pittsburgh!
Learn more at: www.olionuevo.com
Stonehouse Olive Oil- House Blend
The olives are grown on Silver Ridge Farm in Oroville California, in the beautiful foothills east of Chico. The century old trees are comprised of Mission, Manzanillo and Barouni olive varieties.
Learn more at: http://stonehouseoliveoil.com/