A Holiday note from the Santa Ynez Valley

What pensive beauty autumn shows,
Before she hears the sound
Of winter rushing in, to close
The emblematic round

-William Wordsworth

Fall Harvest 2023

Late fall afternoons are particularly beautiful in the olive grove at Luretik.  A low light filters through branches heavy with fruit in various stages of ripening, creating a palette of brilliant greens, soft yellows, and deep violet.  It is mid-November, and the moment for harvest has finally arrived.

Excitement is tinged with no small amount of angst (at least for Elise!) as the timing of harvest is critical. These are intense but joyful days that begin at daybreak and culminate at the mill where the day’s fatigue and a year of patience is rewarded: olives transformed into liquid gold.

In the Kitchen

Shorter days and cooler nights also find us adapting the rhythms in our kitchens, turning to comfort foods and special holiday preparations.  This is an ideal time to experiment with extra virgin options:  light, medium, and intense fruity oils.  

I am often asked how to choose the “right” oil.  Although personal taste plays a role, a good rule of thumb is to consider the flavor profile of the dish you are preparing.  The oil’s role in finishing a dish is to enhance and balance the flavors of the primary ingredients.

Less involved preparations, such as poached fish, broiled chicken, or simple salads, pair well with a light, fruity oil that complements subtle flavors.  An intensely fruity oil that is more bitter and pungent (while equally delicious!) would overpower the delicacy of these dishes. 

On the other hand, robust herb-infused stews, legume soups, and bitter greens can stand up to an oil with a stronger personality.  Against the assertive flavors of these dishes, a lighter oil’s unique characteristics would be lost.

Medium-fruity oils strike a nice balance.  With more body and aroma than delicate oils and less bitterness and pungency than robust ones, they are ideally suited to an array of this season’s preparations including mixed greens, sautéed vegetables, grilled chicken, roast pork or lamb and a variety of antipasti.

By popular request…

Deluxe holiday gift sets are now available in limited quantities!

This year, we accompany our delicious olive oil and vinegar with a hand-stamped Italian table linen from our talented friends at Colori del Sole in Taormina, Sicily. It’s a shame to see good oil spilled, but what better way to find beauty in accidents than by cleaning up with an artful object!