FROMTHEGROVE.LUCEROOLIVEOIL.COM

USDA decision a good step for olive oil producers

2010-05-10T02:44:00Z

I wanted to take a moment and applaud the decision by the USDA to revise the decades old standard of olive oil grading. What this means for producers and, more importantly consumers, is that you will finally know what you are getting when you go to the store. Currently, shelves are lined with bottles featuring a multitude of claims, none of which hold much weight. Under the new standards, there will be a common language for trade and consumers will be assured of quality in the olive oil they buy.

Groups like the California Olive Oil Council have worked tirelessly to raise the bar of quality in terms of olive and new standards like this ar bolstering their efforts. You can read more here - live-oil-standards

2009 Harvest Has Begun!

2009-09-25T05:17:50Z

Exciting news from Lucero Olive Oil. We have started up the mill for the first time for 2009. What does that mean? Fresh Lucero Olive Oil is right around the corner. We will keep you updated on the harvest, but for now, check out the pictures below.

Good source for olive oil news

2009-09-10T14:24:00Z

As I have mentioned before, the California Olive Oil industry is booming. With so much news around the industry, it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes if you want to keep up on the latest and greatest. There's a good newsletter out there, "The Olive Oil Source" that provides the latest information on the industry. You can check out their latest issue here. They mention Lucero's latest medals from the Paso Robles festival as well.

Paso Robles Olive Festival

2009-08-18T04:42:00Z

The time leading up to the harvest is so exciting. One of the best parts of this time of year are all of the olive festivals. The Paso Robles Festival is this Saturday and Lucero Olive Oil is happy to be exhibiting for the fourth year in a row. Food, music, wine and Olive Oil - can you think of a better way to spend the day? Oh yeah, it's a great chance to see our newly designed labels too. Check out the link to the festival - www.pasoroblesolivefestival.com/

State Assembly visits Lucero Olive Oil

2009-08-05T04:59:00Z

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma visited our mill in Corning yesterday. She is visiting various farms throughout the state, learning more about the different agricultural production we have in the state. It was exciting to represent the growing California Olive Oil industry and work to educate her a bit more about not only the tremendous growth but the excellent quality of California Olive Oil.

She really seemed to enjoy her visit and we were definitely happy to host her. Check out a picture from her visit below. (From left to right: Nick Hardeman, Capitol Director; Dewey Lucero; Assemblywoman Fiona Ma; Gary Strack, Corning mayor; Larry Treat, Lucero Mill Manager)

Lucero Olive Oil in Cook's Illustrated

2009-08-03T00:40:00Z

One of the topics very dear to our hearts here at Lucero is the growth of the California Olive Oil industry. Here's a great article comparing California oils to those of Spain. Definitely shows that people are catching on to the great quality of the extra virgin olive oil being produced in the Golden State. Did we mention Lucero is included in the piece? Here's the link... www.cooksillustrated.com/tastetests/overview.asp?docid=20398

Coverage of California's Growing Olive Oil Industry

2009-07-10T04:06:00Z

Came across an interesting article in the Sacramento Bee highlighting not only the immense growth of the California Olive Oil Industry (production is expected to continue to increase 10,000 acres/year until 2020) but also the advancements in terms of harvesting and production. Much like the wine industry in its early stages, California Olive Oil is growing in leaps and bounds - an exciting and tasty time for all!

Fancy Food Show 2009 - More Pictures

2009-06-29T15:01:00Z

As you know from earlier posts, Lucero is launching its new look this week at the Fancy Food Show in New York. The show has been going great so far - we are meeting a lot of interesting people in the food industry and it is so exciting to see all of the products that are being unveiled. Below, please find a couple more pictures from our booth at the show that should give you a better look at the product line. What do you think?

Day 1 - Fancy Food Show - Summer 2009

2009-06-29T11:49:00Z

Day #1 at the Fancy Food Show just before the opening of the doors. The day was very successful, and the new look and products are a huge hit!

Visit to Lucero Olive Oil

2009-06-24T02:02:00Z

Lucero Olive Oil was happy to host the Smith Family from Salt Lake City in early June at our mill in Corning, CA. The family had received a gift box from Jason Smith's family over the holidays and liked the products so much that they looked us up and stopped by for a visit when they were in Northern California.

The whole family came, even grandpa and grandma. Everyone liked looking at the machinery and were surprised to find out that once the olive oil comes out of the separator it is ready to be bottled and has nothing added to it or any further processing.

Before leaving, they purchased some of our olive oil and balsamics to take home for themselves and some friends. The kids even got a chance to play in the family orchard.

Everyone had a great time - me included. If anyone else in the area and would like to stop by for a visit, let me know.

Lucero: New Generation - Booth 4430 - Fancy Food Show, New York

2009-06-17T12:28:00Z

We have a whole new and exciting look! Come visit us at Booth 4430 - Fancy Food Show, New York, June 28-30

2009 Auburn Triathlon

2009-06-15T01:13:00Z

As I mentioned before, Lucero Olive Oil was a proud award sponsor of this year's Auburn Triathlon. Check out some pictures from the event below.

Dewey - Nugget Demo - May 2009

2009-06-01T01:07:00Z

Demos...what a perfect way to get our product out there to the customer! We work with many of our local stores to provide in-store demos to help promote our Lucero products. This is me at our local Nugget Market in Roseville on a busy Thursday afternoon in May. You want a shot of olive oil?

Dewey Nugget Demo 5.21.09.flv

2009-05-31T00:24:00Z

Check out Dewey at the recent Lucero Olive Oil demo at the Roseville Nugget Market!

How do you use your EVOO?

2009-05-22T14:15:00Z

If you have ever visited the Lucero Olive Oil site, you know two things - the Lucero family loves to cook and we love to share our recipes. After speaking with customers at various shows and in stores, I've come to realize that a lot of you have great ideas for recipes incorporating Lucero Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars.

We have set up a new email address at Lucero Olive Oil - recipes@lucerooliveoil.com - for you to share your recipes with us and any other fans of Lucero Olive Oil. So, please send in your favorites... we can't wait to test them out and post them to the site.

If you need any inspiration, check out some of our family faves on the site.

New Olive Oil blend

2009-05-22T04:20:36Z

This past harvest, we decided to try a little something different and created some exciting new blends. One that I am the most excited about is our Anthony's Blend, named after my grandfather, Anthony Lucero. Though the groves were around before his time, he was the original olive oil producer in the family. It was on a slightly smaller scale though - he hand-pressed fresh extra virgin olive oil for family and friends during the holidays.

His namesake blend is a mix of Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino and Manzanillo olives, which give it a robust taste and peppery finish.

It makes me proud to be part of this heritage of olive oil producers and to help the family groves grow into a solid business in such a growing industry. Check out the picture of me, my dad and my grandpa below - three generations of olive oil production.

Proud sponsor of the Auburn Triathlon

2009-05-21T14:35:00Z

Lucero Olive Oil has been chosen as the award sponsor Auburn Triathlon for the 3^rd year in a row. Brad Kerns, the race director for the Half Iron Man and Olympic distance races has been a long time Lucero Olive Oil fan, and we are excited to continue our partnership with him.

One of Lucero’s core values is supporting local events that promote healthy living and good old fun and competition. The Lucero family has been very active in the triathlon community, not only supporting the events but competing in them as well.

Auburn Triathlon winners will be awarded with a 200ML of Lucero Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Good Luck racers!

Lucero Olive Oil at Williams Sonoma

2009-05-04T17:15:00Z

On Saturday, April 18, we had our kickoff promotion at the Williams Sonoma store in San Francisco's Union Square. This was an event showcasing Williams Sonoma's "House Olive Oil," which is produced by Lucero Olive Oil under their private label.

The demo was a huge success, with several bottles finding new homes with happy customers. A lot of them were new to Lucero, so it was a great opportunity for us to meet some new customers. Many of them commented on the smooth and fruity taste of the oil (which we love to hear). Many also said that they were happy to learn the oil was produced right here in northern California - once again promoting the California Olive Oil industry.

We demoed the House Olive Oil while serving freshly made bruschetta over lightly toasted bread. It’s a great time of season to get fresh vegetables for this - the recipe is available on our website. Check out your local farmer's markets to get the freshest veggies available.

We also served bread for dipping with the oil. One way to show diversity is to use dipping seasonings with the oils, which can add some really tasty new flavors.

Check out the pictures from the event.

Oliv You & Me - Patti

2009-05-02T18:01:00Z

I visited one of our longest standing customers in Boulder CO in late March – Oliv You & Me.

Patti, the owner, has done a wonderful job with her store. The presentation of all her products is immaculate and offers the feeling of down home unique products, at the same time the feeling of high-end boutique.

The day I visited she had her sampling station full of Lucero product (featured in picture). She is right on by sampling product, this is by-far the best way to sell olive oil and balsamic vinegar, by letting the customer taste the product before they buy.

Patti has a nice feel to the store with cool pictures of the Lucero logo of course! If you are ever in the Boulder area, you should definitely stop by.

Oliv You & Me carries these Lucero Products:

Ascolano

Manzanillo

Mission

Lemon

Mandarin

Balsamic Vinegar

Welcome to FromTheGrove

2009-05-01T14:31:34Z

I want to take a quick second to welcome you to the new "Lucero Olive Oil” blog. I am hoping that this can be a chance for fans of Lucero Olive Oil to learn a little more about the company, what goes into producing olive oil, information on the stores and people who carry our products and any other questions you may have. I look forward to being able to interact with all of you.

If there is anything you are interested in seeing or learning more about, please let me know.

Thanks,
Dewey Lucero