SUPERB OLIVE OIL Wins First Place
Recognized as One of the Top 10 Olive Oils in the World
I want to mention something; more precisely rave about our dear friends and neighbors, the remarkable Apollo Olive Oil company who made their first oil vintage in 1997.
You may not realize that we sell this oil. I recommend that you try some. As we age, there aren't so many indulgences that are considered actually good for us. Enjoy this one with impunity.  You are unlikely to see it in stores other than on the West Coast.
This year, competing against 750 high-end oils produced primarily in France, Italy, Spain and Greece, Apollo Olive Oil earned a coveted spot in the world’s "top ten" during the prestigious international olive oil competition, OLIO 2006, sponsored by Der Feinschmecker (a leading food and wine publication in Europe) and conducted by the celebrated Italian tasting panel I Mastri Oleari.
Darrell Corti, president of Sacramento based Corti Brothers, and chairman of the highly regarded Los Angeles County Fair olive oil tasting competition drew a timely parallel; "The entire experience is reminiscent of 1976 in Paris when California's young wine industry stunned the world by finishing ahead of French wines. Now, olive oil from California has given the world a new reason to try it and take notice."
Apollo Olive Oil tend their 3,000 older trees dating back to 1878, plus more than 4,000 younger trees imported from the great oil-producing regions of the Mediterranean. The large number of olive varieties (44) provides an extraordinary range of flavors, and all of the resultant oils – 100 percent cold-extracted under vacuum – have deep varietal character and intense flavors.
The hand harvested olives are processed in their mill within an hour of picking. Along with a steadfast focus on quality, a highly sophisticated milling system really sets Apollo Olive Oil apart. In fact, Apollo is the only producer in the United States currently using this specialized vacuum system that significantly limits exposure to oxygen during the milling process – the key to producing oil extraordinarily high in healthy antioxidants and polyphenols. 
Here's the word from our next door neighbor Steven Dambeck, Apollo grower/miller/owner/appassionato, "We are striving to be consummate craftsmen, connected to the soil and what it brings forth, and committed to extracting every last ounce of essence at the mill; our mission is to create oils absolutely true to the terroir, and at the highest quality level possible."

2006 L.A. County Fair Competition: The Sierra blend Gold Medal, Mistral blend Gold Medal, "Best of Class"