California Olive Ranch produces ‘estate grown’ olive oils- the final product must be grown, harvested and processed on the same farm or estate. Since 2007, California Olive Ranch’s extra virgin olive oils have been used by James Beard Award winning chefs all over the country. There are several factors that contribute to the high quality of California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Canola/EVOO blends. Their oils are made using the finest olives, grown in Northern California by over 70 family farmers. The olives are harvested at just the right time- when they are the perfect 50/50 ratio of green and purple, creating a nice balance between bitter/pungent flavors and a more mild/buttery oil. California Olive Ranch harvests mechanically using top harvesters to pick fruit at peak ripeness, and minimizes damage to the fruit by never letting them touch the ground.