When Nate went on his super cool trip to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, he bought this olive oil at one of the shops they visited. McEvoy Ranch is located in Petaluma, up near Sonoma in wine country. Nate said they had an olive oil tasting when they visited the store…just like a wine tasting. I was sort of rolling my eyes when he was telling me about it…but mid-eyeroll, he forced me to do a tasting of my own and I have to admit this is good stuff.
The flavor is so fresh. I don’t quite know how else to describe it. The oil almost tastes like grass to me. Apparently olive oils can be a lot like wine, where you can taste different flavors depending on where the olives are grown, etc. Interesting, right?
I’m not saying you have to specifically buy McEvoy olive oil…I’m just saying that you really should try a high quality olive oil sometime if you haven’t before. I have to admit, I always just grab the giant bottle at Trader Joe’s, which is fine. But this local, fresh olive oil really is special.
My favorite uses for our new olive oil? I made a pizza the other night with this olive oil, some crushed fresh garlic and mozzarella cheese. Simple and divine. We also love combining with garlic, salt and pepper for dipping baguette. In fact, I had that for lunch…inspiring this post!
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I love the Bay Area for its olive oils. McEvoy is great, Bariani is wonderful, and my favorite is Stonehouse. We are lucky lucky ducks living here!
Comment by abbersnail — December 10, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Your blog is making my tastebuds very excited for our move to the Bay Area in a few months!
Comment by Jessica — December 10, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now…very, very fun! I have seen olive oil tasting and it looks very similar to wine tasting. That olive oil looks fantastic – I love the design on the bottle and the cap. There are no olive vineyards where I live – too cold!!! So I have to buy whatever is in my grocery store. Your pizza sounds wonderful.
-Natalie
Comment by Natalie — December 10, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
oh yeah..this stuff is the…S#$%. really. We were gifted a bottle a few years ago, and have been jaded ever since! And this is coming from a sonoma gal…i’ve been around the olive block!;)
Comment by anne marie — December 10, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
A great olive with some salt and a good crusty sour dough roll is a great way to start a meal. My mouth is watering just thinking about it
Comment by Geraldine — December 11, 2009 @ 3:31 am
Mmmm, sounds delish! And beautiful pictures, too.
Comment by Hillary — December 11, 2009 @ 10:19 am
When I was in San Fran for Blogher food I went to the Ferry Building at tried a bunch of olive oils – only wish I had purchased a few right then. They were yum! Thanks for the link – I’m gonna check it out.
Comment by Amy J in SC — December 11, 2009 @ 11:34 am
I LOVE olive oil tastings. It’s amazing how different they taste when compared side by side. Enjoy!!!
Comment by Collette — December 12, 2009 @ 8:37 pm