Olio del Le Colline di Santa Cruz At Olio del Le Colline, we produce extra virgin olive oil from selected Tuscan varietals grown in the coastal climate of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Our cool weather and coastal influence yields an extraordinarily fine fruit flavor without losing the balance of bitterness and pungency. From a small group of 100 trees imported from Pescia, Italy in 1994, we have expanded to a combined total of 1500 trees. Our goal is to make only the finest oil from varieties that are historically grown in the central and northern areas of Italy. Currently, we are pressing oil from Maurino, Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino, and Ascolano varietals. Planted varieties also include Taggiasca from the Ligurian coast. Chris Banthien and Bruce Golino are partners in Olio del Le Colline. Each has an extensive background in local agriculture. In addition to growing olives, Chris is a commercial flower grower specializing in lavender, flowering oreganos and hydrangeas for the cut flower market. Bruce works in production agriculture and owns and operates Santa Cruz Olive Tree Nursery, producing olive tree varietals originating from the Mediterranean basin. There are the first to grow olives for oil production in the Monterey Bay area since the 1940's. The 2004 Le Colline olive oil has arrived! This year’s bountiful olive crop, picked at perfect ripeness, was pressed into a fragrant, well balanced oil sure to delight your palate with it’s fruitiness and pungency. The 2003 pressing was awarded another gold medal from the prestigious Olive Oils of the World Competition at the Los Angeles County Fair. Our November 2004 oil is currently available through mail order or by visiting Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria at 504 Bay Avenue in Capitola, California. To order, please call 831-662-2345 or e-mail us at: cbanthien@hotmail.com. Chris Banthien and Bruce Golino 500 ml bottle - $24.50, 250 ml bottle is $13.00, plus shipping & packaging. 10% case discount. Phone: (831) 662-2345 E-mail: cbanthien@hotmail.com Follow this link to see news articles about Olio del Le Colline