Posts Tagged ‘olive oil’

Posted on February 18, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Groom Your NVI (Napa Valley Intelligentsia)

Napa Valley conjures fields of lavender, sweeping vineyards and abundant olive trees.  But how much do you really know about Napa?

It’s time to ramp up on your Napa Valley dinner party parlance…

• Napa Valley is 30 miles long; its regions include American Canyon, Napa, Lake Berryessa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga.

• In addition to its famous grapes, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables thrive in Napa including oranges, prunes, apples, olives and more.

• The Napa Valley is a name derived from the language of the area’s native Wappo Indians and has come to mean “land of plenty.”

• The Wappo Indians had no written language. They shared their ideas, stories, and feelings by speaking only. Stories and customs were passes down by parents to their children.

• 1823 marks the first written description of Napa. Word spread of the region’s abundance, and by the late 1840s, quicksilver mines and lumber mills had set up shop.

• Steamships ferried people from San Francisco, and the railroad carried tourists seeking the healing waters of Calistoga.

• Tough times did darken Napa’s sunny days:  Napa’s famous Silverado mine dried up in 1875, a grapevine disease in 1893 killed off most of the vines, and prohibition shut down most wineries altogether in 1920.

• In 1968, California’s first Agricultural Preserve was created. This zoning ordinance established agriculture and open space as the “best use” for the land within Napa County. Known as the “Ag Preserve,” it’s an agricultural model followed by many others today.

Now uncork one of Napa Valley’s hundreds of wines, start simmering the sauce, and over artisan bread dipped in the local extra virgin olive oil, enjoy a northern California-style dinner peppered with Napa Valley love and lore.

Posted on April 9, 2009 - by napavalleybath

Grounded by David Picci

I continue to amazed at the people I’ve met on this journey….the passion….the heart…..the soul….it’s everywhere….and David Picci was no exception. I will admit that I had my doubts…I’ve met enough “experts” in my industry to be a little jaded. I also have less patience to listen to ego….so as I shook David’s hand….in a small parking lot in Figline….I was guarded. He immediately began to speak about the olive tree…the conversation started with pruning…went to varietals….pressing….harvest….oils….all over the map. I let him do most the talking as I have learned the art of listening…I have found if you listen as if you can hardly hear then you can discover not only the content of the words but also that of the person behind them…and as we neared the end of all we could say in a parking lot, I had a sense….that David was a man not only passionate about his trade but also about the earth that it was connected to….so needless to say, I didn’t hesitate to take him up on the invitation to see his orchards.

The drive to the orchards was framed with fields of olive trees….everywhere….and no straight rows….or plowed fields….but all pruned the same…..the centers wide open….at home the olive tree is the side show, if that, to the vineyard…..here, it steals the show….

I have attached the video of some of our conversation. I thought you might enjoy hearing knowledge passed down from generations….and although the content might not be pertinent to you, maybe David’s soul will come through, as it did on that day…and maybe you will feel the inspiration of a man who is driven by passion for his trade…..because David does not drive around with a “green” sticker on his car nor does he brag about his “sustainability”….because once again….it is simply who he is….and if there is one lesson that I have learned on this journey… it is that when you are true to yourself then you don’t have to say a word….you radiate your message because you are IT.

Posted on December 28, 2008 - by napavalleybath

New Harvest Report Email

WOW….ANOTHER GREAT HARVEST YEAR FOR THE NAPA VALLEY…AND OUR PORTFOLIO CONTINUES TO GROW! I GOT A CALL LAST WEDNESDAY FROM A MAN WHO WONDERED WHAT HE SHOULD DO WITH HIS 100+ TREES LOADED WITH OLIVES ON HIS PROPERTY IN THE RUTHERFORD BENCH….SO, I WENT OUT ON FRIDAY…..WE WALKED HIS PROPERTY AND TALKED ABOUT AN OVERALL STRATEGY…HIS TREES ARE ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD…..LOOKED LIKE MAINLY SPANISH VARIETALS WITH SOME ITALIAN SCATTERED ABOUT….IN GREAT SHAPE…HE’LL PROBABLY GET ABOUT 10 GALLONS THIS YEAR BUT ONCE HE STARTS A ROUTINE OF CARE, HIS TREES COULD END OF YIELDING UP TO 30 GALLONS OR SO…I’LL KEEP YOU POSTED!

AS FOR THIS YEAR’S RELEASES…THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK….STAGECOACH VINEYARDS…..WOW….BEST OF BOTH WORLDS….THEY HAD BOTH ITALIAN VARIETAL TREES AND ARBEQUINA (SPANISH) VARIETAL. WE DECIDED TO PRESS THEM IN TWO LOTS….KEEPING THE ARBEQUINA A 100% VARIETAL EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL….THE ONLY ONE IN THE NAPA VALLEY I DO BELIEVE.

WE USED A STONE INSTEAD OF THE HAMMERMILL PRESS FOR BOTH LOTS. THE STONE PRESS TAKES A BIT OF THE BITTERNESS OFF AND IS PREFERABLE IF YOUR OLIVES ARE REAL GREEN….THE YIELD IS LESS SO MOST PEOPLE OPT FOR THE HAMMERMILL….BUT, WE THOUGHT WE’D RISK YIELD FOR QUALITY……IT PAID OFF! BOTH OILS HAVE A BUTTERY FINISH….WHICH IS RARE FOR A NAPA VALLEY OIL….BUT DON’T BE FOOLED…THEY BOTH WILL STILL MAKE YOU GRIMACE!

STAGECOACH ARBEQUINA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:
THE COMBINATION OF THE ARBEQUINA VARIETAL AND THE STONE PRESS RESULTED IN OUR MILDEST NAPA VALLEY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL THIS YEAR….STILL BIG BY MOST STANDARDS….BUT SOFT….ALMOST AS IF SOMEONE MUTED THE BITTERNESS WHICH ALLOWED THE FRUITINESS TO TAKE THE FRONT SEAT…..AND THAT SEAT BEING MADE OF BUTTER….NOW THOSE AREN’T TECHNICAL TERMS….BUT HOPEFULLY YOU GET IT!

THE STAGECOACH ITALIAN BLEND:
AGAIN….THE BITTERNESS IS SLIGHTLY MUTED DUE TO THE STONE PRESSING…..BUT, UNLIKE THE ARBEQUINA, IT PACKS THAT ITALIAN PUNGENCY!
THIS MORNING I TOASTED A BAGUETTE, DRIZZLED THE STAGECOACH ITALIAN BLEND ON IT AND THEN SPOONED ON HOME MADE RASPBERRY JAM…THE INTENSE FRUITINESS WAS THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT TO THE SWEETNESS OF THE JAM….BROUGHT ME STRAIGHT BACK TO PANZANO WHERE I LEARNED TO PUT EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ON MY TOAST….AND TOAST WAS ALWAYS A BAGUETTE….

Posted on November 10, 2008 - by napavalleybath

A LONG DAY……BUT ALL GOOD!

Some days you snooze….some days you cruise…..but most days you….hmmm can’t find a rhyme that means you pack a ridiculous amount into your day……well, today was that day! We harvested both Hornberger and Stagecoach today…..trucked around 3500 pounds of olives to Healdsburg to press….not much went as it was intended….never does in agriculture….but all went as it should…..lots of stories that I will tell and really good video of the pick and press….you just have to give me a bit to figure out imovie and some quiet time to get inspired to tell the stories…so many great moments today…but now I am beat…and am crashing to awake early to pick up our bounty….stay tuned!

Posted on November 10, 2008 - by napavalleybath

HORNBERGER AND STAGECOACH IN TODAY

After the second snooze hit, I realized that I had to get up or I’d never hit the aggressive deadlines of the day. I rolled out of bed…threw on some old jeans….shirt….sweatshirt….jacket……and boots……brushed my teeth…..pulled my hair back and headed for the door. Today was unlike other days…..there was no time for tea….or to think about what shirt went best….no time even to pack kids lunches….today was the day…..the day we wait for all year long….today was game day.

Posted on November 9, 2008 - by napavalleybath

HARVESTING HORNBERGER ESTATE TOMORROW!

The good news is we are bringing in the Hornberger olives tomorrow, Monday, November 10, 2008…..the not so good news is it is a very light harvest this year…..I’m expecting less than 10 gallons of oil…..this is always such a beautifully balanced oil….we have a 3pm press time……so we should have the oil by 9pm tomorrow night….I will give you the taste report on Tuesday…..and more details on the estate as well….gotta say goodnight as it is an early morning tomorrow with the coordination of the Stagecoach and Hornberger harvests…watch for our video of the day!

Posted on November 9, 2008 - by napavalleybath

TUTTLE ESTATE HARVEST REPORT

THE TUTTLE EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL HAS ARRIVED!!!! The Tuttle Estate is located on the Valley floor north of St. Helena. Our take this year was 15 gallons….our largest yet from this Estate….I will taste the oil for the first time tomorrow and give you all the scoop…….

Posted on November 9, 2008 - by napavalleybath

PEDREGAL ESTATE HARVEST REPORT

The Pedregal Estate is located in the Eastern HIlls of Oakville, Napa Valley. The Mendelson’s trees are a mix of older Spanish varietals that were originally brought over by the missionaries … and Italian varietals that were planted to border the Pedregal vineyards. Because the olives are harvested early, the estate always produces a BIG green fruity oil…the mixture of varietals and ages of the trees combine to produce an unique extra virgin olive oil. Our take is always quite small and it usually sells out with the first email announcing it’s release.

I spoke to Ralph and they are set to pick next week…..the harvest is light this year so we will probably end up with no more than 10 gallons. We will let the oil settle into Dec. and choose it’s release date based on how it settles….most likely mid December.

Posted on November 5, 2008 - by napavalleybath

OLIVAI “It should only be this good”

Just talked to Judy…..the olives are turning fast and she has set her harvest date for November 14, 2008. We will hold the oil for about a month so it’s release date will be mid December. Her harvest is down about 30%….better than expected….so, we should get at least 50 gallons this year…a bountiful harvest for the Napa Valley!

The Epstein’s oil is always a beautiful balance of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency. It will be interesting to taste this year’s harvest as it is two weeks later than last….technically it shouldn’t be as pungent straight out of the gate…we will have to wait and see….

Posted on November 3, 2008 - by napavalleybath

THE CALL IS MADE AT STAGECOACH!

I know…bad picture…it was pouring rain and my camera was malfunctioning….it was the best I could do.The good news….the flesh is turning purple…positive sign for the pick!

It has been pouring rain! I know I shouldn’t complain because we need the rain and we have had a beautiful Fall…but…it was quite an abrupt change in climate. We went from doors open in Rutherford with fans on to everything closed up….heaters running…and flooding in our entrance and offices….a bit hard on the psyche and the till. But….enough of that reality…..

As I drove the familiar path to the olive trees of Stagecoach Vineyards, I noticed a significant difference in the ripeness of the olives. The majority of the trees were purple…upon further investigation…I found that only about half of the purple trees, at best, had the purplish flesh that you see above. So…again…not quite ready…but VERY close.

The impulsive side of me wanted to call the pick immediately….how great to produce a HUGE oil that we don’t filter and sell for immediate consumption…Olio Nuovo…as the Italians call it. But, the practical side speaks louder….if we wait another week….we get a bit more yield…without missing out on BIG character…more yield means better pricing for you…quicker sales for me…..and happier folks right on down the line…I suppose we could pick later this week…but Kaelin is in the homecoming parade…and Thursday night she plays powder puff football and I have to bring dessert…..if only it were an exact science……and then I stopped…..I saw….and I listened…..it wasn’t today….but it was time….the trees were ready to give their gift….and I had to trust their message and make the call……

MONDAY NOVEMBER 10 2008 WILL BE OUR FIRST HARVEST OF STAGECOACH VINEYARDS OLIVES….

let the preparation begin….