We Olive ~ An Olive Oil Experience
Nov 15, 2010 at 0:01 
There's a town not far from my home, a seaside community, with the ever classic "Main Street" running right down the center of town. On one side there are boutique stores, on the other antique shops. The perfect combination of new and old. Strolling down Main St. popping in and out of attractive little shops, as well as getting lost in the rows and stalls inside large antique filled stores, makes for the perfect mid-week getaway - the perfect place to spend an afternoon escaping from my daily routine.
On this last "escape" I stumbled into a shop jam-packed with bottles and kegs (yes, kegs, with pouring spouts and all) filled with "liquid gold"....gourmet olive oil! I was enchanted. This was no simple olive oil "store", it was an Olive Oil Experience! Slowly I walked through, gazing at every glistening bottle, running my fingers down the smooth glass surfaces, reading every label, dreaming about what recipes could benefit from this elixir of life. Sigh.
We Olive. That's it. The name of the shop. So simple. So devine. Of course they had me at "Olive". It turns out We Olive is the premier retailer of California extra virgin olive oil in the U.S. with retail outlets throughout California, and an on-line store as well.
Along with the Oil, not to be forgotten, is the equally celebrated balsamic vinegar. There really is no better pairing in the world than olive oil and balsamic vinegar. So basic, and rustic. All that was missing was a bakery with fresh artisan breads next door for me to be transported to heaven itself! Hmmm....anyone want to open a bakery?
A tasting bar would have to do, and it did.
I met the owner, Steve Tobey, who had me drunk on EVOO by the time I left his We Olive shop.
Not only can you purchase bottles of olive oil or vinegar but.....drum roll please........you can purchase an empty bottle, have it filled with your choice of olive oil, or vinegar, and when the bottle is empty bring it back to be refilled. Yes, you pay for the refill, but it's your bottle, it's your choice, every time, and the cost of the refill is at a reduced price. Gourmet AND eco-friendly!
Steve gave me the deluxe tour of his shop, showed me every olive oil I could have dreamed of, and had me tasting perfectly paired oils and vinegars! Sold!! While I brought home serval bottles and jars of goodies, my favorite is the We Olive "Blood Orange" Olive Oil, which I used in my Butternut Squash Soup recipe. Thank you Steve for a wonderful visit. I'll be back soon! My friends, if you are ever out roaming Main St. in Ventura, CA be sure to find Steve's We Olive shop. It will be worth your time.
Here's a nifty little healthy tool gift for you.......The Butter to Olive Oil Conversion Table! I've started using it more and more in my recipes. Let's just say the butter in the fridge is getting pretty nervous about possible extinction around here.
Balsamic, California, Olives, Vinegar, condiment, cooking, extra virgin olive oil, gourmet, olive oil, shop, store, tasting bar in Product Review
Reader Comments (8)
What an incredible post! Olive Oil is one of my most favorite things on the planet and a whole store devoted to gourmet olive oils... SWOON!
Thanks Paula! You would adore this shop. It really is "Swoon" worthy. ;-)
That looks like my idea of heaven. Love it.
Ok. Dying here. Dying as in "I'm dying to go there!" What a wonderful shop! And, your tour gave us everything we need to get in the car and drive there! Great review! And here I thought maybe you were doing some molecular gastronomy or something...
Chris - Glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, I'd have to agree about It really being a little piece of heaven. Clearly we both have the same idea about "heaven".
Robyn,
If you are ever driving out my way be sure to let me know. I'll meet up with you at "We Olive"! Wouldn't that be fun!!
We do love "We Olive" - Their stores are amazing! Great write-up! We love seeing successful Olive Oil Stores working their magic! :)
Hi there Cibaria Gourmet Olive Oils, Welcome! Be sure to stop by and tell us more about any Olive Oil products you especially adore. The Kitchen Crew and I would be happy to go check them out. :-) We're always looking for more of that beautiful "liquid gold" to add to our cooking adventures.