September 09, 2006
The Paso Robles Olive Oil Festival kept its reputation this year as the biggest olive oil event of its type in the state of California.
The festivities began with a semiformal dinner at the historic Park ballroom in downtown Paso Robles and was sponsored by Pieralisi, The Olive Oil Source and We Olives.
|
| Paella requires olive oil and olives |
The festival was held in the large town square decorated by 15 olive trees donated by festival sponsor Olivas de Oro. Frank and Marty Menacho sponsored the event after relocating thousands of their 95 year old olive trees from Northern California to their new estate orchard site in Creston. The trees will be joined by a new high density olive orchard and pressing facility.
 |
Thirty olive oil producers had booths for tasting and purchase of over a hundred different oils. Mild weather this year encouraged attendees to sit and listen to music, a talk on olive oil tasting by Karen Guth, president of the California Olive Oil Council, or watch an olive oil recipe cook-off. Many alternated olive oil tasting with wine tasting from the many excellent local wineries participating. Gourmet olive dishes were available from vendors on "Culinary Row".
 |