The majestic olive grove that sits on the opening slope of the Skipstone property is home to 550 Manzanillo olive trees that range in age from 4 to 40 years old. Since 2001,  careful sustainable farming practices have been implemented and we are very proud to announce the 2009 Melina’s Harvest Olive Oil is the first vintage to be certified Organic by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers).

This beautiful expression of oil from our seven acre olive grove is evocative of the return of Spring with renewing aromas like wildflowers and fresh cut grass.  On the palate, exciting flavors of green banana and raw almond give way to Granny Smith Apples and traces of hazelnut. The oil displays an elegance and sophistication with balanced bitterness and a slight pungency in the smooth, lingering finish.

Typically served as table olives because of their low oil content, choosing to grow Manzanillo olives requires sacrificing overall yield for superior quality and flavor. The process of crafting Melina's Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil is kept simple to ensure absolute purity of this delicious oil.

Every autumn, at the peak of the season, the olives are carefully hand picked and cold-pressed the same day, often within hours. The combination of artisan harvest and production methods produces distinctive olive oil, and has earned Skipstone Ranch the distinguished Extra Virgin certification by the California Olive Oil Council and five Gold Medals from the prestigious Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.

Our oil is delightful with fresh bread, as an accompaniment to salad and is excellent as a finishing oil for pasta dishes and root vegetables – try drizzled over potatoes instead of butter!




Growing region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Orchard: 550 trees
Olive variety: Manzanillo
Harvest: November 4th, 11th, 19th
Oil extraction process: hammer milled
Grade: Certified Extra Virgin by California Olive Oil Council, unfiltered
Accolades: Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition
Acidity: 0.10%