Estate and Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils

Olive oil is a wonderful accent to the fresh produce that forms the backbone of so many local and seasonal diets. Learn more about olive oil in general below, as well as American olive oil producers to look for at markets. The producers here make "estate" olive oils, or oils from single parcels of land and even single varietals of olives. Many stamp harvest dates on their labels and take other measures to make sure the oils they sell are fresh and full of olive oil flavor and health benefits when you go to use them in your kitchen.

All About Olive Oil
Lots of recipes call for olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. Learn about this often used, natural and healthful oil.

Types of Olive Oil
Learn the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil and more.

Olive Oil Varieties
Wonder what to expect from varietal olive oils? See what flavor profile different olive varieties create in their oils.

How to Taste Olive Oil
Get tips of tasting and evaluating extra virgin olive oils.

American Artisan Olive Oil Producers
These American olive oil producers are best described as "estate" the olives are grown and pressed by a single producer.? Many of these producers offer varietals, or oils from single types of olives, as well as blends and some specialty oils (like olive oil pressed with Meyer lemons yum).

The Olivina Olive Ranch of Livermore, California
Olivina Ranch in Livermore, California grows six varieties of olives and presses them all separately--making varietal olive oils.

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