eLivermore.com - By Bill Nale

 

Olive Oil in the Livermore Valley

Back to: Home Page  -  Business Page Sign our Guestbook


Contents
of this
Section

Olive Oil Producers in the Tri-Valley

 

Olive Oil Links

 

Where to Buy  
Olive Wood Carvings

Wood carvings from Bethlehem.

The Olivina description

On Page 2, with additional photos


 

Livermore is known for wine,
and is beginning to be known for Olive Oil.

The US is the third largest olive oil producer, with virtually all of it produced in California.  Areas that are good for wine are generally also good for olive oil.

Olive trees have a long life, and commonly produce for hundreds of years.

Olive trees also make excellent carving wood.

 

Photo from left to right:
Arroyo Windmill Groves
Wood Family Vineyards
Sera Festino
Quail Creek Vineyard
Wente
 

Background painting by Laurel Gangola

 


 

Olive Oil producers in the Livermore Valley
Most are sold at the location listed.  Some may be difficult to obtain.
No retailers in the area carry the local Olive Oil as far as I have been able to determine.

Alivas Di Morgan 2339 First St., Livermore Contact: Russ Morgan: allrents@hotmail.com
Arroyo Windmill Grove 2400 Arroyo Road, Livermore.  Behind Eckert Winery tasting room, across from Ravenswood. Open Noon to 5 Saturdays
Made from olives from Livermore, around Eckert Winery.
Pressed on site.
$11 to $15 per 375ml bottle.
Pressed on site.
Contact: Rik Hansen: rik_h_5555@earthlink.net, (925) 454-8500
Crane Ridge Olives 8500 Crane Ridge Rd., Livermore (925) 449-1764
Darcy Kent Vineyards 7639 Cedar Mountain Drive, Livermore.  Available from the winery.
Contact: Darcie Kent: darciekent@msn.com   (925) 443-5368
Del Arroyo Vineyards LLC 2256 Hansen Rd, Livermore  
Genesis Ranch 4120 Cross Road, Livermore;
 
Genesis Ranch was established in February 1995 with the planting of 20 acres of Manzanillo olive trees.  The orchard and family home are located in the southeast corner of Livermore Valley on Cross Road.  Today, the orchard is producing a limited bottling of premium 100% extra virgin gourmet olive oil.

The olives are hand picked in November and immediately cold pressed.  The oil is then filtered for clarity.  Genesis Ranch Olive Oil is sold privately and through local wineries, and is served at local restaurants.

The Genesis Ranch orchard is meticulously managed and cared for by the Miille family.  Natives of California, the Miilles are raising their family at Genesis Ranch.  Often the whole family can be seen working in the orchard.
Jim & Bea Millie: jim@GenesisRanch.com or bea@GenesisRanch.com,  (925) 606-8019

Milani Olives ..... Cross Roads, Livermore Contact Paula Milani: (925) 294-9760
The Olivina 4555 Arroyo Road, Livermore
 
Established in 1881, Olivina was one of the first grape and olive growers in Livermore.  Originally the 2000 acres was marked by the stone gateway with "Olivina" in wrought iron.  The historic arched gateway still stands today at the corner of Wetmore and Arroyo Roads.  In 1940, the Crohare family purchased approximately 700 acres and utilized the land for cattle operation.  Olive varieties planted on the property consist of Mission (over 3,000 trees), Arbequina (over 1,500 trees), Lucca (242 trees), Frantoio (about 6,200 trees) and original trees over 100 years old.

The California Olive Oil Council has certified the olives harvested in November 2003 as "Gold" for the Arbequina olives and "High Silver" for the Mission olives with a very low fatty acid (0.4%).  Oil from Olivina received the California Olive Oil Council seal of quality to note 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is low in fatty acids and free of defects.  All of the olive oil from Olivina is cold pressed unfiltered for the highest quality, flavor and aroma.
See additional information and photos here.
Contact: Charles F. Crohare  charles@theolivina.com
(925) 455-8710.

Quail Creek Vineyard Sold at Bent Creek Winery, 5455 Greenville Rd, Livermore $12.00 for a 375ml bottle
Manzanillo & Mission olives from trees near the southern end of Greenville Road..  Cold-pressed, and unfiltered.
(925) 455-6320
Victorine Valley Farms 1080 Victorine Rd, Livermore Contact: Larry Robinson: larry_robinson@direcway.com  or Susan Hermanson: susan_hermanson@direcway.com,  (925) 454-8770
Sera Festino - Purple Orchid Inn 4549 Cross Road Livermore
 
Our 1222 Manzanillo olive trees were planted in May, 1995.  This orchard was the first orchard planted as part of the South Livermore plan, an Alameda County land use plan that blends the interest of agriculture and the smart development.  This plan requires land subdivision to a minimum of 20 acres with a requirement that 90% be planted in cultivated crop of olives or grapes.  These Manzanillo olives have produced multiple crops of 100% extra virgin premium olive oil that is used in local restaurants, sold at many of the 22 local wineries and at The Purple Orchid Inn Resort and Spa.  Enjoy this first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil!
$19.99 for a 375ml bottle.
Contact: Karen Hughs: karen@purpleorchid.com  or Heidi Farah. 
(925) 606-8855, info@purpleorchid.com
Oro Fino at Wente Vineyards 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore $19.99 for a 375ml bottle.  Available at the winery.
Estate Grown Certified Organic "Oro Fino" Extra Virgin Olive oil, from a century old grove.
Made from Lucque, Manzanillo, Picholine, Ascolano, Mission & Sevillano olives.
Contact: Ken Kupperman: KenK@wentevineyards.com
(925) 456-2305
Winn Olive Oil 1090 Victorine Road, Livermore Brice Springer: Bruce.Springer@direcway.com or Dale Springer 
(925) 443-2251.
Wood Family Vineyards 7702 Cedar Mountain Drive, Livermore Hand picked olives, from trees surrounding the vineyard.
$15 per 375ml bottle
Rhonda Wood: rhondaroo@hotmail.com  or Michael Wood.
(925) 606-7411
Wood Ranch Estate, LLC 100 Twin Oaks Lane, Livermore Contact: Tracy Wood: tracy.wood@tycohealthcare.com, Tim Wood: twood@finneynet.com
(925) 371-6394

 

Where to Buy

Olive Oil can be purchased directly from the producers, via the above contact information.

Some brands may also be purchased at:
First Street Wine Company, 2211 First St, Livermore
Livermore Farmer's Market

 

 

 


Livermore Valley Olive Growers booth at the Livermore Wine Country Festival, May 1, 2004

 


Olive Trees planted in 2001 at Olivina Ranch.
Additional Photos

 

Olive Oil Links

California Olive Oil Council

Olive Oil Source - Olive Oil Information and products

Article on olive oil in wine country