The Apollo Balsamic vinegar is a real one-of-a-kind, artisanal product based on a delicious Late Harvest Riesling made by Diana in 1984, and aged in the winery cellar for the past 35 years. Through a unique process of reduction and acidification, we are able to produce about 600 bottles of Balsamic annually – for a few more years, anyway… Unlike most balsamics on the market, the Apollo Balsamic has the complex age-carmelized grape sweetness with a hint of oak barrel aging, and just the right amount of vinegar acidity to balance those concentrated flavors. Like authentic Italian balsamics, the Apollo Balsamic is best used sparingly as a condiment to enrich various dishes – such as fresh strawberries, salad greens, steak, cooked vegetables, or even ice cream.
Category Archives: Apollo Olive Oil
Bottles
As some of you may have already noticed, some of our bottles look a little different lately. Unfortunately, our bottle supplier has unexpectedly run out of stock, and the next production of our distinctive bottles in Italy isn’t scheduled until October. We had to find a different bottle to use in the meantime until our shipment arrives in November. This bottle lacks the beautiful curves, but has the same opaque label and easy pour spout.
Come for a Tour of Apollo’s Orchards and Mill
This past weekend, we enjoyed hosting a wonderful group in a customized tour of our orchards and
mill, with a little tasting of our Miller’s Favorite oil and our popular Balsamic. It was a wonderful experience to share our values and methods of producing raw, organic, award-winning oils with the highest polyphenol counts you can find. This picture of Gianni explaining the uniqueness of our mill was attached to a ‘thank you’ email sent by one of the tour group. Whenever you or your friends plan to be in our area, please do consider calling Gianni at 530-692-1562 to arrange a tour.
Introducing Miller’s Favorite
Introducing Miller’s Favorite
This
year we introduced a new offering to our Gold Series category called
Miller’s Favorite. This oil is a traditional Tuscan oil made from the
Frantoio, Leccino, and Moraiolo olives. As the name states this was our
favorite oil this year. It is a robust oil with strong pungency and
medium bitterness. Its fruity overtones include hints of artichoke,
cinnamon, green almond and green tea. Not everybody can taste these
overtones but they add a complexity that make this oil particularly
satisfying that everybody can enjoy. We made a very small batch of this
oil and we will probably run our before December.
One happy customer’s review of the Miller’s Favorite
| The best olive oil in America I’ve sampled countless olive oils from around the world. This and the rest of Apollo’s lineup are the pinnacle of olive oil production. Every attribute about it is perfect. It is green, pungent, and hosts a depth of flavors. It makes the majority of other olive oils taste like seed oil. The only other oil I’ve had that comes close is the oil I sampled from a micro producer in Central Italy using ancient Roman trees. I can say without any reservation that Apollo makes the best olive oil in America. Gordon B. |
Recipe Co
Apollo Receives Award of Excellence
We’re
pleased to share the news we received on March 21, 2019:
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS
“Congratulations Apollo Olive Oil has been awarded The Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Award of Excellence given in honor of our 20th Anniversary Celebration. This award is given to producers who have achieved excellence in the production of olive oil and have received a Gold Medal Award or Silver Medal Award in 10 or more Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competitions.
We are truly grateful to you for your support and want to congratulate you on your dedication and passion to produce high quality oils of outstanding taste, character and complexity. We are honored to have your oils in the Los Angeles International Competition for ten years and more and have done our best to promote and showcase your oils. Apollo Olive Oil has received a Silver Medal or better in all 20 of our competitions – we so appreciate your support.”
2018 Oils Are Now Available
Our New Oils Are Available Now
Harvested and milled in December 2018, the new oils are in the bottle and ready early this year. This olive harvest was challenging all over Northern California, with no crop worth picking in many areas. The wide-spread cause seemed to be a late frost that damaged the immature flower buds. Fortunately, most of our hillside orchards escaped the worst, but the harvest costs were significantly higher. Although the price of our oils has been stable for nearly a decade, costs have been steadily increasing for the last 6 years. This year however, we’re compelled to raise the prices 10%. Fortunately, you’ll find that they are still at or below the usual price for high quality, organic extra virgin olive oil.
Even though it was a tough year, we’re thankful that the new oils meet the same excellent quality standard that Apollo is renowned for. In fact, one barrel was so nice, Gianni called it the “Miller’s Favorite” and we added it to the Gold Series. The supplies are very limited, so if you’re interested, be sure to order it early.
Holiday Special!
Holiday Special!
With Apollo Olive Oil, you can send gifts by entering your good wishes in the message box during the checkout process and we will send your gift with a nicely printed card in our standard 100% recyclable packaging.
Now, in keeping with our Holiday tradition, when you place an order over $100 just enter the SUPERSAVER coupon code for a 15% discount. That’s a perfect way to stock your pantry AND do your holiday shopping.
Our gift to you: A 15% savings PLUS free shipping on any order over $100 by using the coupon code SUPERSAVER.
Good from Today through New Year’s Eve!
Harvest is Here!
Harvest has begun and it will come to a conclusion at the end of December. We blend our oils in January, then we bottle in February and the new oil is available in March.
Harvest is Here
Harvest is Here
Harvest has begun and it is a busy and exciting time. Many Califonia growers are reporting very low crop levels. Even though olive trees have a tendency to alternate between low and high crop levels year to year, this year is worse than normal. The reason seems to be a warm February followed by a
March frost that caused the trees to drop the flowers that turn to fruit. This primarily happened in the valley region. Since we are at a 2000 foot elevation we were not as affected. We are trying hard to not let this act of nature decrease supply or raise prices. We care for our own trees and also buy olives from local farmers and some of them seem to have scraped by. We will not know until harvest is done in December but we are very hopeful.
Book Excerpt
“The Predimed (Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea) Study, Based in Spain, has changed the way we look at health benefits of extra virgin olive oil in the Mediterranean Diet. … The groups on the Mediterranean Diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil and with nuts saw a 30 per cent reduction in rates of heart disease.” From the book,The Olive Oil Diet by Dr. Simon Poole and Judy Ridgway
Join Us For This Year’s Harvest Festivals
18th Annual North Yuba Harvest Festival
Once again we are proud to be a vendor at this year’s harvest festival on Saturday, October 6th, 10am to 5pm. It will be held at the Alcouffe Community Center at 9185 Marysville Rd., Oregon House, CA 95962. This is the biggest food and wine event in the North Yuba foothills.
North Yuba has received international recognition as a premium wine and olive oil region with local producers garnering coveted medals at major state, national and international competitions.
There will be over 40 vendors this year, including food stalls offering everything from haute cuisine to hot dogs, arts & crafts, antiques, Farmers Market, coffee bistro, and live musical entertainment. Ample children’s activities guarantee a day of family fun. All proceeds benefit the Alcouffe Community Center.
North Yuba offers a welcome retreat from urban life, we encourage you to check out the lovely AirBnB’s to make this a restful country weekend as well.
Mission San Jose Olive Oil Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 6 & 7, 2018, 10 am – 5 pm
Join Gianni and Diana Stefanini, owners and millers of Apollo Olive Oil, in the Dominican Sisters of MSJ Olive Grove, behind the Historic Old Mission San Jose!
Many olive oil vendors, live music, arts and crafts, great food, and activities for the kids. This is the premier event in the Mission San Jose district!
Apollo Olive Oils Are Now Triple Certified
Apollo Olive Oils are now triple certified!
Besides our two long-held certifications – from CCOF, that our orchards, mill, and oils are all managed organically, and from COOC, that our olive oils are really Extra Virgin, by both analysis and taste – Apollo Olive Oil easily passed the nutrient analyses and met all the newly published R.A.W. Standards as well.
You can rest assured that Apollo Olive Oil is organic, extra virgin AND:
“Real” – That is, safe from many angles – non-GMO, organic, our production standards and practices, the oil analysis, and with the harvest and milling date on the label (so you can always know the oil’s ‘best by date’ – two years from production for all olive oils).
“Alive” – That is, with a high amount of bio-available enzymes in the currently available oils.
“Whole” – That is, minimally processed (never cooked, never warmer than 80° F), organic and with a high nutrient-per-calorie density (how “rich” it is in various vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients).