Sip, Swirl, and Savor: The Best Olive Oil Tastings in Napa Valley (Plus Where to Buy Bottles Worth Bringing Home)

If you love wine tasting, you already understand the magic of pairing: the right bite can make a good sip taste great, and a great sip taste unforgettable. Here’s the fun twist—Napa Valley isn’t only a world-class wine destination. It’s also a seriously delicious place to discover extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), learn how to taste it properly, and bring home bottles that instantly level up your cooking (even if “cooking” usually means “ordering takeout and adding vibes”).

So, where can you taste olive oil in Napa Valley? You’ll find tastings at specialty shops, iconic food hubs, and a handful of wineries and estates that treat olive oil with the same reverence they give Cabernet. Consider this your warm, easy guide to Napa Valley olive oil tasting—including where to go, what to expect, and how to spot the good stuff.

What to Expect at an Olive Oil Tasting (Yes, You’ll Sip It)

If you’ve never done an olive oil tasting before, here’s your friendly heads-up: it’s not usually a bread-dunking situation.

Most tastings are done the way pros do it:

• You’ll get a small pour in a tiny cup or glass.
• You’ll warm it slightly with your hand.
• You’ll smell first (deeply!).
• Then you’ll sip and “slurp” a little air to spread the oil across your palate.

It sounds funny, but it works—olive oil has aromas and flavor notes that can be surprisingly vivid: fresh-cut grass, green tomato, artichoke, herbs, citrus peel, almond… even peppery spice.

Bitterness and “pepper” are good signs

New tasters sometimes think peppery or slightly bitter oils are “too strong,” but those traits are often markers of freshness and healthy compounds (especially in quality EVOO). The goal isn’t “mild.” The goal is balanced, fresh, and lively.

Why Napa Valley Olive Oil Is a Perfect Side Quest for Wine Lovers

Napa’s Mediterranean-style climate supports olive growing, and harvest season can overlap with the cozy shoulder months when Napa feels extra magical. Many local producers approach olive oil like wine: varietals, blends, harvest timing, and terroir all matter.

And pairing? Oh yes:

• Bright, grassy oils love goat cheese and fresh salads
• Round, buttery oils shine with roasted veggies and pasta
• Peppery oils are chef’s kiss on grilled meats, soups, and even vanilla ice cream (trust me once)

The Best Places for Olive Oil Tasting in Napa Valley

Below are standout stops for olive oil tastings in Napa Valley, from quick downtown drop-ins to full-on estate experiences.

1) Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company (St. Helena)

This is one of those places that feels like a true Napa “IYKYK” find—an old-school, family-run shop with deep roots. It’s part specialty store, part local legend, and a super approachable way to taste a wide range of oils (and often other Italian goodies while you’re at it).

Good to know:

• Where: St. Helena
• Hours: Open daily (check for seasonal updates)
• What to do: Taste, ask questions, and grab a few bottles plus balsamic to pair back home.

2) Napa Valley Olive Oil (Downtown Napa)

If you’re staying in Napa proper, there’s also a sister store in downtown Napa that’s designed for easy walk-in tastings—perfect between lunch, wine, and wandering around First Street.

Good to know:

• Where: Downtown Napa (First Street)
• Hours: Typically daily daytime hours (confirm before you go)
• What to do: Pop in, taste a few styles, and build a mini “flight” of oils + vinegars.

3) The Olive Press (Oxbow Public Market, Downtown Napa)

If you only do one olive oil stop in downtown Napa, make it this one. The Olive Press is well-known in Northern California, and their Oxbow location is convenient, tasty, and packed with options—from classic extra virgin oils to infused oils and balsamics.

Good to know:

• Where: Oxbow Public Market (Downtown Napa)
• Hours: Vary by day (Oxbow has its own market hours; individual vendors have separate hours)
• Pro tip: If you want the deeper production story, The Olive Press also has locations outside Napa where you can learn more about how oils are made.

4) Oxbow Public Market (Build-Your-Own Pairing Playground)

Oxbow isn’t just where you taste olive oil—it’s where you build the perfect snack board to go with it.

Here’s a delicious move:

1. Taste oils at The Olive Press
2. Grab bread, cheese, charcuterie, olives, or oysters
3. Put together a picnic-style lunch you’ll remember long after the trip

Good to know:

• Where: Downtown Napa
• Hours: Oxbow generally has broad daily hours; holiday schedules can vary.

5) Round Pond Estate (Rutherford) — Olive Mill Experiences

Round Pond is the estate experience for food lovers. They’re serious about olive oil—serious enough to have their own mill and offer dedicated olive oil tastings and pairings.

This is a great choice if you want something more immersive than a quick retail tasting: guided sensory tasting, education, and often seasonal bites that show you how to use the oils like a pro.

Good to know:

• Where: Rutherford
• Reservations: Typically required
• When to go: Harvest season can be especially fun if you love seeing how things are made.

6) Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena + Anderson Valley option)

Long Meadow Ranch is a Napa favorite because it blends wine + food + agriculture into one warm, welcoming “ranch-to-table” vibe. At Farmstead in St. Helena, you can enjoy a meal and often find their olive oils and pantry items. If you’re up for a scenic detour, their Anderson Valley tasting room explicitly offers an organic olive oil tasting alongside wine.

Good to know:

• Farmstead: Great for dining and browsing their market/pantry items
• Anderson Valley tasting room: Offers organic olive oil tasting (excellent if you’re doing a wider NorCal loop)

7) Grove 45 (Calistoga) — Olive Oil & Balsamic Tasting Salon

Grove 45 is a treat—an olive oil tasting salon experience in Calistoga that leans into education and fun. Their tastings highlight small-production oils (including from a historic Napa orchard) and often include curated pairings that make the flavors click.

If you want a tasting that feels like a wine flight—structured, hosted, and memorable—this is a top pick.

Good to know:

• Where: Calistoga
• Style: Hosted tasting experience (book ahead when possible)

8) Napastäk (Downtown Napa) — Gourmet Shop Stop

Napastäk is a gourmet shop in the heart of downtown Napa that’s ideal for stocking up on gifts and travel-friendly goodies. While it’s not an “olive oil producer” stop, it’s fantastic for discovering flavorful oils, vinegars, and pantry items that pair beautifully with Napa wines.

Good to know:

• Where: Downtown Napa
• Why go: Grab-your-favorites shopping, giftable bottles, and a fun browse.

9) Olivier Napa Valley (St. Helena) — Tastes, Gifts, and Gourmet Finds

Olivier is another beloved specialty shop stop, especially if you enjoy browsing curated gourmet goods. Many visitors love that you can taste before you buy, and it’s an easy add-on while you’re exploring St. Helena.

A Simple “Olive Oil Lover’s Day” Itinerary in Napa Valley

Want a plug-and-play plan? Here’s an easy one:

Morning (Downtown Napa)

• Napastäk for gourmet browsing
• The Olive Press at Oxbow for tasting
• Build a mini picnic from Oxbow vendors

Afternoon (Rutherford / St. Helena)

• Round Pond Estate for a guided olive mill experience
• Swing through St. Helena for Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company and/or Olivier

Optional sunset bonus

• Head north to Calistoga for a Grove 45 tasting (or do Calistoga on a separate day)

How to Tell If Olive Oil Has Gone Bad (and What It Should Taste Like Instead)

Fresh, quality EVOO should smell clean and lively—green, fruity, herbal, or nutty depending on style.

Olive oil that’s gone bad often tastes or smells:

• Rancid (stale nuts, old cooking oil, waxy crayons)
• Musty (damp basement, wet cardboard)
• Winey/vinegary (fermented, sour, nail polish-y)

If you’re tasting and something feels “off,” trust your senses. A good host will happily walk you through what you’re noticing.

The Olive Oil Tasting Wheel (Your Secret Weapon for Sounding Like a Pro)

If you love the wine aroma wheel concept, you’ll love the olive oil version. One popular tool is the “Recognose” wheel associated with olive oil sensory expert Richard Gawel, which breaks down common descriptors (positive and negative) so you can name what you’re smelling and tasting instead of saying, “It’s… kind of green? But also spicy?”

Ask at tastings—some shops even sell tasting wheels or have them on-hand during guided experiences.

Final Tips: What to Buy (and How to Pack It Home)

A few friendly rules of thumb:

• Buy one everyday “workhorse” EVOO (salads, finishing, bread)
• Buy one bold, peppery oil (grilled meats, soups, pasta)
• Add one special balsamic for instant upgrades to strawberries, cheese plates, and cocktails
• Pack bottles in your suitcase wrapped in clothes, or ship if you’re doing a bigger haul

Olive Oil Businesses:

• Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company (store info & hours). Napa Valley Olive Oil
• The Olive Press (Napa/Oxbow location, hours, and visit info). theolivepress.com
• Oxbow Public Market (market hours/holiday info; Olive Press vendor listing). oxbowpublicmarket.com
• Round Pond Estate olive oil experiences + reservation policy. Round Pond Estate
• Long Meadow Ranch (Farmstead hours; Anderson Valley tasting room olive oil tasting mention). Long Meadow Ranch
• Grove 45 tastings (olive oil & balsamic tasting salon description). Grove 45 Olive Oil
• Napastäk (downtown Napa location + hours). Napastäk
• Olivier Napa Valley (shop/site; tasting referenced by visitors). oliviernapavalley.com
• Lucero / American Olive Farmer update (tasting room closure and online operation). American Olive Farmer
• Olive oil tasting wheel (“Recognose” / sensory descriptors) and official sensory guidance/defects references. oliveoiltimes.com