Olive oil tasting is a sensory journey that allows you to explore the depth of flavors, aromas, and textures in high-quality oils. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or just curious about the process, experiencing an olive oil tasting can transform the way you cook and appreciate this kitchen staple. At Round Pond Estate in Napa Valley, we offer an immersive olive oil tasting experience that takes you from the olive grove to the tasting glass.
The Olive Oil Tasting Process at Round Pond Estate
1. Guided Tour of the Olive Orchards and Mill
Your journey begins with a guided tour of our picturesque olive orchards, where we share insights into sustainable farming practices and the varietals we cultivate. From there, we take you inside our state-of-the-art olive mill, one of only two operational mills in Napa Valley. Here, you’ll discover the cold-press method and artisan techniques we use to create high-quality extra virgin olive oils.
2. Sensory Tasting of Estate-Made Olive Oils
Once seated, guests are guided through a professional olive oil tasting using small blue-tinted glasses designed to enhance the oils’ aromas. The process includes:
- Warming the glass in your hands to release the oil’s natural aromas.
- Swirling and sniffing to identify fruity, grassy, or peppery notes.
- Tasting the oil in small sips to detect bitterness, pungency, and richness.
Our tastings include a selection of our Italian Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Spanish Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil as well as our infused olive oils, featuring flavors like garlic, basil, rosemary, lemon pepper, and chili.
Guests can also dip fresh bread into the infused oils to explore how different flavors enhance culinary dishes.
3. Traditional Wine Vinegar Tasting
In addition to olive oils, we produce estate-made wine vinegars using the traditional Orleans Method, an artisanal aging process in French oak barrels. A unique aspect of our tasting is the sugar cube method, where guests dip a sugar cube into the vinegar and then let it dissolve on their tongues. This technique balances acidity and highlights the vinegar’s depth of flavor.
4. Elevate Your Experience with Food Pairings
For an enhanced tasting, guests can book our Gourmet Experience, which includes seasonally inspired small bites crafted by our Estate Chef. Each dish is designed to highlight the versatility of our olive oils and vinegars in cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you properly taste olive oil?
Professional olive oil tasting involves using a specialized glass, warming the oil with your hands, inhaling its aroma, and sipping it to detect different flavor notes. - What makes Round Pond’s olive oil special?
Our oils are made from estate-grown olives, cold-pressed using traditional methods, and blended by hand to ensure exceptional quality. - Why taste wine vinegar with a sugar cube?
This method balances the acidity, allowing you to fully appreciate the complexity of aged wine vinegars.
Plan Your Visit
Join us for a one-of-a-kind olive oil tasting in Napa Valley and explore the world of artisan oils and vinegars.
Book your experience here: Round Pond Olive Mill Experiences
Explore Our Gourmet Collection
Browse our collection of estate-made olive oils, vinegars, and gift sets to have a taste of Napa Valley delivered to your door.
Book your experience here: Round Pond Olive Mill Experiences