Olive oil is a big part of Mediterranean diets, especially in countries like Greece and Turkey. And, unsurprisingly, California, which has a fairly similar climate to the Med and is well-known for its vineyards and winemaking, is a prime location for olive oil production.
While there certainly are plenty of other parts of the world that are able to successfully grow and manufacture grapes for olive oil production, California is particularly ideal for olive oil startups. Of course, the United States in general is great for new, burgeoning businesses.
Thus, the combination of good growing and manufacturing conditions as well as a healthy business and startup environment make Californi ideal for olive oil companies. Thus, it’s no surprise that most of the top olive oil producers are based in California.
Top Olive Oil Startups
Whether it’s used to dress salad, cook with or drizzle over vegetables, olive oil has become a staple part of most people’s diets these days, mostly in Western and European diets, but it can also be used in Asian diets.
Here are some of the best and most successful olive oil startups, many of which are based in California.
1. Graza
Based in Brooklyn, Graza was founded in 2021 by the team of Allen Dushi and Andrew Benin. One of the top and most loved olive oil producers in the United States, Graza produces olive products that are intended to provide a healthy alternative to cooking oil.
The company has been incredibly successful, having brought in more than $50 million over two years from 2022 to 2024, and experts have projected even more growth in the coming years.
Graza produces and sells a variety of olive oil products that are made from picual olives that are harvested and pressed, providing customers with olive oil that is fresh and nutritious without having to pay an arm and a leg.
2. Kosterina
Based in New York, Kosteria is a producer of premium olive oil. Their mission is not only to produce delicious olive oil but also to educate people on the importance of healthy eating.
The company produces Greek-style olive oil that is cold pressed from a single blend of early-harvest olives which allows for the grapes’ natural polyphenol content to be maximised. In addition to straight olive oil, they also produce and sell balsamic vinegar in a variety of flavours, including dark chocolate and fig.
The idea behind the brand is to really encourage Healthy, Mediterranean-style eating, encouraging the Greek philosophy that encourages a love for food that is used to fuel your body and lead to healthy living.
3. C and C Farms
Based in San Ramon, California, C and C Farms is one of the United States’ top olive oil producers, and it’s also the only producer of olive oil in San Ramon.
C and C produces olive oil from a blend of manzanilla and arbequina olives that are hand-picked from trees that are an incredible 85+ years old. This blend made from premium blend exudes a green aroma, so to speak, with notes of ripe avocado and a slightly nutty flavour.
Producers recommend the olive oil to be drizzled over sautéed vegetables, steamed asparagus or roasted peppers to really enjoy the unique flavour.
4. Showa Farm
Showa Farm is based in Alexander Valley, California, and it’s a proudly family-owned business. The farm follows biodynamic and organic farming principles, using solar power and water from an all-natural aquifer. In fact, even the orchards are watered by means of a drip irrigation system.
Not only is the farm environmentally conscious, it also emphasises the unique and delicious flavour of its gourmet olive oil that they achieve by means of a single varietal- Arbequina.
In addition to the grapes frown for olive oil production, Showa Farm is home to a biodiverse environment, with plenty of gots, chickens horses, cats and dogs calling the farm home. They also grow nut trees and a variety of vegetables to contribute to the farm’s diversity, a lot of which ends up being used to feed the farm animals.
5. California Olive Ranch
California Olive Ranch, based in – you guessed it – California and the company was started back in 1998. The ranch and business have been manufacturing and selling extra virgin olive oil for more than 20 years, and the ranch pretty much does it all – from planting and harvesting to milling and manufacturing for sale.
Producing both ordinary olive oil and olive oil with unique flavours, California Olive Ranch has undertaken some interesting harvesting and innovative plant techniques, and ultimately, they’re producing olive oil that can be, and is, sold at affordable prices.
6. Laconiko
Laconiko is a family-owned and run business and olive oil producer primarily based in California but with offices based in various parts of Asia too.
The olive oil is produced by Dino and Diamantis Pierrakos, two fourth-generation olive oil producers who are continuing their family business, taking after their father, Vasilios Pierrakos. The brand has won several awards for its product, being deemed one of the best olive oils is the world by the likes of Forbes Magazine and Olive Oil Times.
Laconiko produces olive oil that reflects its strong family values, placing great emphasis on the health aspect of the product and the many advantages it can provide as result of use in cooking.
