Napa Valley isn’t just for Cabernet lovers—it’s also a delicious destination for olive oil tastings, estate tours, and foodie-friendly stops where you can sample extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) at its freshest.
If you’ve got a Napa Valley trip on the calendar, consider adding an olive oil tasting (or two) to your itinerary. It’s the perfect “reset” between winery visits, a fun option for non-wine drinkers, and a great way to bring home something you’ll actually use—because the best souvenirs are the ones you drizzle on dinner.
Below are some of the best places to taste olive oil in Napa Valley (plus one nearby bonus stop), what to expect, and a few tips so you can taste like a pro.
Why Napa Valley Is Great for Olive Oil
Napa’s Mediterranean-style climate—warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters—happens to be excellent for both grapes and olives. Many estates diversify their farming with olive groves, and that means visitors get to enjoy a “two-for-one” agricultural experience: vineyards and olive trees, wine and olive oil, tasting flights and snack pairings.
Olive oil tastings are also wonderfully sensory. You’ll notice aroma, fruitiness, bitterness, and peppery “pungency” (that little throat tickle that makes you cough once and grin like you’re in on a secret). It’s part education, part snack break, and part “why does everything taste better with good olive oil?”
Why Olive Oil Tastings Pair So Well With Wineries
If you’ve ever thought, “I love wine tasting, but I could use a palate break,” olive oil is your answer.
Olive oil tastings:
- Give your taste buds a change of pace between winery appointments
- Pair beautifully with bread, seasonal bites, cheese, and farm-fresh produce
- Make an easy daytime activity (especially if you’re pacing alcohol)
- Send you home with a bottle that instantly upgrades weeknight cooking
Bonus: many estate olive oil experiences feel intimate and relaxed—more “welcome to the family table” than “big production line.”
Extra Virgin vs. “Regular” Olive Oil (In Plain English)
Not all olive oils are created equal, and tasting them side-by-side makes that obvious fast.
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest grade: it’s made using mechanical extraction (no chemical refining), and it must meet strict quality standards in both lab testing and sensory evaluation. In other words, it’s the purest, freshest expression of the olive fruit.
Other labels (like “olive oil” or “pure olive oil”) are often blends that include refined oils. They can still be fine for certain cooking uses, but they typically won’t have the vibrant aroma and layered flavor you get from a well-made EVOO.
When you’re tasting in Napa Valley, you’ll usually be sampling EVOO—often ultra-fresh, sometimes estate-milled, and frequently designed to pair with food.
How to Taste Olive Oil Like a Pro (Yes, Sipping Is Normal)
Most tastings will offer bread or nibbles, but if you want to experience the oil properly, start with a small sip on its own.
Here’s the simple method:
- Swirl a small amount in the cup/glass to warm it slightly.
- Smell first (you’re looking for fresh, fruity, green, herbaceous notes).
- Sip a little and let it coat your mouth.
- Slurp in a bit of air (it feels silly, but it “lifts” aromas up into your nasal passages).
- Notice the classic EVOO trio: fruitiness, bitterness, and peppery pungency.
A good oil should taste alive—fresh, bright, and pleasantly assertive.
Best Olive Oil Tastings in Napa Valley
1) Round Pond Estate (Rutherford)
Round Pond is a favorite for visitors who love the “estate-to-table” vibe. Their olive oil experiences are polished, educational, and seriously tasty—often featuring guided tastings and food pairings that show how different oils behave with different flavors.
If you’re the kind of traveler who reads menus for fun and gets excited about seasonal ingredients, this is your happy place. It’s also a great option when you want a structured experience rather than a quick sample-and-go.
Tip: Reserve ahead—estate experiences in Napa often run by appointment.
2) Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena area)
Long Meadow Ranch is well known for wine and farm-driven hospitality, and their experiences can include tasting organic extra virgin olive oil alongside estate wines—sometimes with tours that highlight the working side of the property.
This is a great pick if your group wants one stop that checks multiple boxes: gorgeous scenery, thoughtful tasting, and a connection to the land. It’s the kind of place where you leave feeling like you did something Napa—not just something touristy.
3) Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company (St. Helena)
This is a classic, old-school Napa find—an Italian grocery-style shop that’s been family-owned for generations and is beloved for its local, “hidden gem” feel.
It’s not a fancy estate tour—and that’s exactly the charm. Pop in, taste a few oils, browse imported goodies, and walk out with a bottle that makes you excited to cook. Perfect for:
- A casual midday stop
- A quick tasting between winery reservations
- Stocking up on foodie souvenirs
4) Grove 45 (Calistoga)
Grove 45 is a fun, modern tasting salon experience with a distinctly Napa feel—stylish, welcoming, and geared toward making olive oil tasting feel like an “event” (in the best way). Their tastings often lean educational and immersive, and it’s a fantastic stop if your group enjoys guided experiences and learning the “why” behind flavor.
It’s also an easy win for gift shopping: beautifully packaged bottles and a vibe that feels special—without being stuffy.
5) The Olive Press (Napa location at Oxbow Public Market + Sonoma flagship)
Yes, The Olive Press is a big name—and for good reason. They’ve built a reputation around quality oils and a tasting lineup that makes it easy to compare styles (and discover what you like).
The best part for Napa visitors: they have a Napa outpost inside Oxbow Public Market, which makes this an excellent option when you want:
- A convenient tasting downtown
- A quick stop without a full tour
- A one-and-done foodie destination (because Oxbow is full of temptations)
If you have extra time, their Sonoma location offers additional visitor experiences too.
6) Oxbow Public Market (Downtown Napa “tasting hub”)
Short on time? Oxbow is your “choose-your-own-adventure” Napa stop. While it’s not exclusively olive oil, it’s one of the easiest places to sample multiple local specialties in one location—olive oil included—while also grabbing lunch, coffee, and fun gifts.
Plan it like this:
- Late morning olive oil tasting + browse
- Lunch from one of the vendors
- Easy stroll along the riverfront nearby
It’s relaxed, central, and perfect for mixed groups where not everyone wants another formal tasting appointment.
Closed Spot to Note: Lucero Olive Oil (Napa retail location)
If you saw older blog posts or travel guides mentioning Lucero Olive Oil in Napa, here’s the update: the Napa retail location has been reported permanently closed. The brand name may still appear online and in legacy listings, but it’s not currently a Napa tasting-room stop you can plan around.
(Translation: don’t build your afternoon itinerary on it—choose one of the open tastings above.)
Bonus: A Nearby Olive Oil Experience Worth the Drive (If You Want More)
Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company (Suisun Valley/Fairfield area – easy day trip from Napa)
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves getting slightly off the main path, Il Fiorello is a wonderful add-on. They offer tastings and tours in an olive-grove setting, and it can feel like a refreshing “wine country cousin” to Napa—still beautiful, still food-focused, and often a bit quieter.
This is especially nice if you’re extending your trip or want an olive-oil-centered experience that stands on its own.
Quick Tips for Planning Your Olive Oil Tasting Day
- Make reservations for estate experiences whenever possible (especially weekends).
- Go earlier in the day if you’re also wine tasting—your palate is fresher.
- Bring a tote bag or small padded wine shipper—olive oil bottles travel better when protected.
- Ask about harvest-season releases (early-harvest oils can be especially vibrant and peppery).
- Don’t rush the sniff. Aroma is half the experience.
Related Questions
1) What is the olive oil tasting wheel?
An olive oil tasting wheel is a guide that helps tasters describe aromas and flavors using shared vocabulary—everything from grassy and herbaceous to nutty, fruity, or floral (and even common “defects” in flawed oils). It’s a handy tool during tastings because it puts words to what your senses are already picking up.
2) What does bad olive oil taste like?
When olive oil has gone off (often described as “rancid”), it can smell stale and waxy—think crayons, old nuts, or a greasy cupboard odor. The flavor will feel flat, heavy, and lifeless compared to fresh EVOO, which should smell vibrant and taste bright with a clean finish.
Final Sip: Add Olive Oil to Your Napa “Must-Do” List
Napa Valley olive oil tastings are one of the easiest ways to add variety to a wine country vacation—without sacrificing the region’s signature sense of place. Whether you’re touring an estate mill, tasting downtown at Oxbow, or picking up a bottle from a long-running local shop, you’ll come home with a new appreciation for what olives can do.
And fair warning: after tasting the good stuff, your grocery-store “olive oil” may never taste quite the same.
Olive Oil Businesses:
- Round Pond Estate – olive mill experiences and olive oil tasting information: Round Pond Estate
- Long Meadow Ranch – experiences including olive oil tasting and facility tour; olive milling details: Long Meadow Ranch
- Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company – family-owned since 1931 and store details/hours: Napa Valley Olive Oil
- Grove 45 – tasting salon details: Grove 45 Olive Oil
- The Olive Press – Napa location at Oxbow Public Market and visitor info/hours: theolivepress.com
- Oxbow Public Market – official hours/holiday information: oxbowpublicmarket.com
- Extra virgin standards and tasting guidance (California and COOC): CDFA+2California Olive Oil Council
- California produces ~99% of U.S. olive oil (context/reference): Olive Oil Times
- Il Fiorello tours/tastings and hours: ilfiorello.com
With years of expertise in curating exceptional experiences, Vacation Napa is renowned for providing unparalleled olive oil tastings in Napa Valley, allowing visitors to discover the region’s unique flavors and traditions.