The Culinary Works

Products with Passion,
I couldn't agree more!

I recently published an article explaining all the benefits to spending a little extra effort and cash on higher quality olive oil.  I hope you all read it and have thusly converted to using only the ‘good stuff’.   Whether or not you are a convert, I found a great place for you to visit.  

There are many opportunities for tasting olive oils in the Napa, St Helena area.  Tasting gives you a chance to try the various varietals and see what you prefer.   But, for my fellow Sacramentans, that’s a bit of a drive.   Well, problem now solved.

Located in lovely old town Placerville is a quaint store called, Winterhill Farms Shop.  Annette and Richard, who couldn’t be nicer people, craft COOC approved Extra Virgin Olive Oil at their farm in the foothills.   For more on what that means, see this previous article.   The signage on the store clearly says, 'Products with Passion', and they mean it.  The oil is processed with love and even the labeling of the bottles is special.  Their website, www.winterhillfarms.com,  shows members of their family stick the labels on every bottle by hand.   The labels, by the way, display art from local developmentally disabled artists, a bit of giving back Winterhill should be proud of.  

They passionately explained that they opened the store to reach more people, and did so with not only the right intentions, but with, in my opinion, a winning approach.  The store provides you the opportunity to taste all of the varieties they offer, including the flavored oils.   This is a big plus for you because you don’t feel like you are gambling when you decide to buy something and once you try it, you will know you can’t leave the store without it.   That’s what happened to me anyway.  

You can purchase them in several sizes already bottled with the hand placed labels.  They also sell all of their oils in bulk, which is a great opportunity for you to buy in smaller quantities and try them all.   You can purchase a bottle or bring your own and buy only the amount you need of your chosen variety, or take advantage of the opportunity to go home with a couple, maybe have an olive oil tasting at home with your loved ones.   They even have some tips on their website for hosting a tasting party.

I found their EVOO to be round and fruity, ending with a soft and lovely bitter finish.  I am not fond of oils with a huge bitter bite at the end and expect the finish to let me know it’s there without overwhelming my pallet.   I truly found both of the unflavored virgin oils they offered to give me this characteristically smooth bitter finish but my favorite was the Extra Virgin Mission oil.   I believe, with it’s easy fruity character it will appeal to almost anyone.

Typically, I am not a fan of flavored oils.  They are often pumped full of artificial ingredients and the oil used is sometimes the lesser quality they can’t bottle unflavored.   That said, I was happy to hear that Winterhill’s flavored varieties are made using natural ingredients.   Crushing the fruit with the olives for example, flavors the orange and lemon varieties.   My personal favorite was the Persian Lime, which we left with and have since used on everything from watermelon to salads to grilled shrimp and fish.  

People who have a love for food will appreciate the store, the product and the owners, Annette and Richard.  When you approach a project or vocation with the kind of passion they have for olive oil, it is inevitably evident in the results.   In this case, they are producing excellent artisan olive oils and their passion to share it, to educate and promote the benefits flow out around them.   I hope you will take a short drive and visit the Winterhill Store, taste the oils and begin to experience the value and quality of this true artisan product.  

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