When life gives you 100-year-old Manzanillo Olive Trees you make Olive Oil! That’s exactly what Karen Chandler and fiancé George Cecchetti did. After moving into a ranch in the Lodi Countryside, Chandler had the idea to put their trees to good use. “It was such a shame to see the olive’s fall on the ground,” Chandler said. “And it has always been a dream of mine to make a product like this.”

In November 2006, they handpicked and hauled the olives off to a custom press in Modesto. Not knowing what the results would be the couple waited with high hopes. To their surprise the olive orchard produced above the national average of extra virgin olive oil, the highest grade possible. “We were very excited when we found out during testing that it was extra virgin olive oil,” Chandler said.

According to Chandler because of the fruits that grow near the trees the oil has a unique fruity flavor. They also offer a limited estate reserve of unfiltered olive oil; this gives it a murky appearance but boosts its robust flavor. Another unique part of the oil’s creation is that fact that the trees are dry farmed; they pick up water from the nearby grapevines and fruit trees.

For not being on the market long Cecchetti Olive Oil has taken off grabbing the attention of many well-known restaurants and stores in the Lodi and Sacramento areas.

“Who knows where we’ll go after this,” said Cecchetti. “There are so many things olive oil can do. It’s so clean, it lowers cholesterol and the American Heart Association backs it.”

With goals like that it’s no doubt in this writers mind that Cecchetti Olive Oil will do many great things and is a company to watch.

You can purchase your own bottle of Cecchetti Olive Oil at any of these fine retailers. Artisian Health Food Store in Tracy, Baywood Cellars in Monterey, Cellar Door, Cottage Bakery, Fiori’s Butcher Shoppe, Jessie’s Grove, Lodi Visitors Center, Michael David Winery, Nugget Markets in Sacramento, Payless Market in

Lockeford, Podesto’s in Stockton, Raley’s Grocery Store, Sherri’s Sunshine Nutrition Center in Lodi, Taylor’s Market in Sacramento, and Tracy Wine Cellar.

Restaurants now featuring Cecchetti Olive Oil:
De Vega Brothers Italian Cuisine in Stockton, Old Arch Restaurant in Lodi, Rosewood in Lodi, The Slocum House in Fair Oaks, The Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, and Wine and Roses in Lodi.

For more information on where to find Cecchetti Olive Oil, and olive oil-based recipes you can go to www.GotOliveOil.net or call 916-302-6234.