Olympia Olive Oil – Bringing Fine Oil And Vinegar To You

52 Shares

 

“You can’t leave without tasting” are the words that co-owner Fred Berschauer heard heading out the door of a similar store selling olive oil in Missouri.  Forty-five minutes later, Berschauer left the store after trying just about all the products.

Berschauer then promptly dialed John Hoehne and suggested that the business model would work in Olympia.  Hoehne’s response – ‘what the heck is an olive oil store and are you crazy?’

Less than four months later, the duo opened Olympia Olive Oil on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia.

“We took a look at the business model and requested samples from three potential suppliers,” reports Hoehne.  An impromptu taste test was coordinated to select the ideal supplier.  Family and friends weighed in on their favorites and Veronica Foods came out as the winner.

Hoehne and Berschauer attended a two-day class in San Francisco to become experts on the products they would be selling.  “We learned ‘everything’ about olive oil,” says Hoehne with a laugh.

Olympia Olive Oil sells ultra-premium oil procured from the finest olive producing regions in the world.  Each oil is a single varietal fruit although there is one house blend mixed on site.

“Our supplier is very picky about oil.  She undergoes a rigorous process before she will even taste an oil.  For example, olives much be picked in the green, not ripe, form.  This produces a higher quality oil but less volume,” reports Hoehne.

After the olives are picked, the fruit begins the pressing process within six hours.  “As soon as an olive is picked, it begins to degrade.  Our supplier does not want any off-smells to tint the flavor of the oil,” describes Hoehne.

A chemical test is then performed on the oil.  If the chemical properties are acceptable then it will be tasted.  “If the oil passes both the chemical and taste test, then she buys the entire lot from the presser.  This ensures that these oils will only be available in the stores that she supplies,” says Hoehne.

The olive oil is shipped in huge containers to California where it is pumped and packaged into 2.5 gallon cubes.  Olympia Olive Oil receives a cube and pours it into a stainless steel vessel with a spout called a fusti.

“The oil goes directly from the fusti into a bottle for the customer,” says Hoehne.

But, the best part of visiting Olympia Olive Oil is tasting both the oils and vinegars.

Read about the oil or vinegar on a small sign attached to the fusti.  Then, select one to taste by pouring a few drops into a plastic cup.  Once you find your favorite flavor, select one of three different sizes and Hoehne will fill a bottle.

“My favorite? It has to be the Tuscan Herb Olive Oil.  You can do anything with it – dip bread, marinate a steak or blend a salad dressing,” answers Hoehne.

Over the past few months you may have spotted Olympia Olive Oil around town.  The new business participated in Arts Walk, Capital Food and Wine Festival and is planning to attend Lakefair.  The products are also used locally at Uncork & Unwind.

In May, Olympia Olive Oil participated in Girls Night Out.  Alderbrook Resort, which uses the company’s products in their restaurant, was on site for the event.  “Alderbrook Resort cooked clam chowder, lettuce shrimp wraps, and veggie skewers on site, using our oil and vinegars,” describes Hoehne.  “It was a big hit,” he adds.

Swing by Olympia Olive Oil and take a taste test.  Perhaps you will fill a bottle with Tuscan Herb Olive Oil or customer favorite Fig Balsamic Vinegar.

Olympia Olive Oil

321 4th Avenue East

Olympia, WA 98501

 

Store Hours:

Monday through Thursday – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Friday – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Sunday – 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
52 Shares