06.23.09
Olive Oil Tasting in Wine Country…
In the heart of Napa Valley, surrounded by world-renowned wineries such as Beaulieu Vineyards, Caymus, Honig, Frog’s Leap and Rubicon Estate, the Rutherford region has been known for producing elegant and delectable red wines. Named after the water near Lake Frederick in West Point, New York where founder Bob MacDonnell spent many summers by, this little gem called Round Pond Estate became our lesser-known destination for an intimate tasting of handcrafted oils and artisan vinegars.
We arrived at the olive mill early Sunday morning when the air was crisp and the sky was clear and strikingly blue. After stepping out of the car, an immediate sense of tranquility among rows of grapevines and olive trees greeted us with a light breeze and a fresh scent of earth under the awning.
We walked into the tasting room, discovering a well-arranged table with an array of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet bread alongside a good variety of olive oils, vinegars, and citrus syrups. Our friendly and professional olive mill guide Jill showed us around and virtually walked us through the olive oil process from tree to bottle.
We learned a great deal about how the olives on this estate are cultivated, harvested, and processed for extra virgin oil. Round Pond imported their traditional stone mill from Italy and incorporated it with modern engineering. What a smart marriage!
The best part followed the leisure and informational olive mill walk. We sat down in the tasting room and followed Jill’s guidance to taste the oil, the vinegar, and the syrup. We savored every sensory experience that each element provided us.
Next time when you’re in Napa Valley and feel like breaking from the ordinary, I highly recommend you stop by this establishment for your own olive mill tour and tasting.
Round Pond’s web site here.
