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The Olivina has an essential place in the history of California olive
oil. An early pioneer in the California olive oil industry, Julius Paul
Smith, carved out 2000 acres of the beautiful Livermore Valley and committed
the land to cultivating wine
grapes, walnuts and olives. Mr. Smith’s ranch was aptly dubbed
Olivina and a stone gateway with "Olivina" in wrought iron
marked the entrance to his fruitful property.
A History of California Olive Oil
The simple olive has a very majestic place in history. First cultivated
by the Sumerians and the Greeks, the olive was an important part of
their diet and their folk lore. The earliest harvesters of olive oil
considered their product to be nothing less than ‘liquid gold’.
But
it was not until 1769, that Spanish explorers brought olive growing
to California. To their delight, the Spanish soon found that California
provided a wonderful climate for growing olives and producing olive
oil. Olive trees flourished in California and today, the state produces
97% of all the olive oil made in the U.S.
A California Olive Oil Renaissance
In the mid 1990’s, the California olive oil industry began to
see the beginning of new times. A renewed interest in producing finer,
high-quality California grown olive oils began to take hold. Ten years
later, California olive oil has the reputation of being some of the
best tasting, well made olive oil available.
Continuing a California Olive Oil Tradition
Today, the Crohare Family continues the tradition harvesting the finest
California olive oil. Current olive varieties consist of Mission, Arbequina,
Lucca, Frantoio and Picholine. Many of the olive trees are over 100
years old and still producing some of the best California olive oil.
The historic arched gateway still stands at the corner of Wetmore and
Arroyo Roads and The Olivina is still producing some the finest California
olive oil for you and your family to enjoy.
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The Olivina Ranch makes premium California olive oil from olives harvested
at our ranch in the Livermore Valley. Our fine California olive oils
are made from the following olive varieties:
Mission - Buy Now
Full-bodied extra virgin oil
Century Mission - Buy Now
Full-bodied extra virgin oil from our mature mission trees
Frantoio - Buy Now
Italian varietal, medium-bodied olive oil
Arbequina - Buy Now
Spanish varietal, light-bodied olive oil
Lucca - Buy Now
Italian varietal, medium-bodied olive oil
Picholine - Buy Now
French varietal, light-bodied olive oil
Variety Pack- Buy Now
Our variety pack includes a selection of delectable cultivars produced by The Olivina
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