About Vinegar
A vinegar, or rather a liqueur which takes a lifetime of who manufactures it, has been manufactured for centuries in the attics of the antique buildings in Modena. The product in question is the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, a tradition, or perhaps more privilege of the noble families, similar to dense and sanguineous syrup. Each generation prepares it for those to come.

It takes ten and even twenty years for the juice to reduce itself more and more to the fragrant Balsamic vinegar. Every year there is decantation, but the barrels must always be the same, always those that were used three, four, five hundred years ago. Since 1605 the Giusti family has been the oldest producer of this Balsamic vinegar, in the same old building and in the same barrels that were used by its forefathers. The Giusti’s maxim has always been the same - the principle of natural quality, based on the selection of choicest grapes, the traditional seasoning in the old barrels and the careful process which gives the vinegar its particular flavor.

About Olive Oil
Spreading over 10-acres our olive groves were planted to symbolize the ambiance and idyllic art of living in the old world tradition. The olive trees rise above the lavender fields and vineyard like sentinels guarding that tradition. We have imported our olive trees from Italy and from France. We grow five Italian cultivars which are: Moraioli, Cipercino, Lecchino, Pendolino and Frantoio and one French cultivar: Picholine. We also grow Manzanillo and Mission. We grow our olives with no herbicides or pesticides, 100% naturally, and are currently pursuing organic certification for the entire farm. Our olives are handpicked in autumn usually in November, but it depends on the weather each year. For our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the olives are handpicked when the fruit on the trees is one-third green (not yet ripe), one-third red (in-between) and one-third black (ripe).

Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil
After harvesting by hand, the olives are stone ground, mat pressed and unfiltered to create the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is fruity, strong and peppery. We belong to the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), which is working towards the regulation of the olive oil industry. Currently imported oils can claim they are extra-virgin yet this is not regulated or controlled. The COOC performs random tests on these oils and oftentimes finds that they are not what they claim to be. For an olive oil to be considered Extra Virgin it must meet certain criteria, the most significant being that the acidic level is less than 0.8%. We have consistently earned the COOC seal of excellence from the prestigious internationally recognized taste panel of the COOC! Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is certified to be of the highest quality, and is bottled in exquisite elegant, long, tall 500ml French cobalt blue glass bottles to protect it from light maintaining its high quality.

Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is marvelous as a finishing oil, it is best if drizzled over sun-ripened tomatoes or grilled fish, in salads, pasta dishes, and for dipping crusty breads.

Marinade for Meats & Fish
½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of one lemon
1 Garlic Clove Crushed & Minced
1 TSP. Lavender Celtic Sea Salt Blend

Optional: Chopped Fresh Herbs
Rosemary, Dill, Parsley or Cilantro

Combine ingredients. Marinate Beef, Pork, Lamb or Fish For one hour,
great when grilled

Lavender Vinaigrette
½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 TSP. Lavender Celtic Sea Salt Blend
Combine ingredients in small bowl. Wisk until salt dissolves

Optional: Add 1 TBLS. Dijon mustard to Olive Oil. Wisk until blended. Wisk in salt and vinegar.

Lavender & Olive Oil Dip
½ Cup Olive Oil
1 TBSP. Lavender Celtic Sea Salt Blend

Combine in a small bowl. Dip with your favorite French bread. Enjoy!

This Artisan sea salt is hand harvested by “Paludiers”: - French salt farmers. It comes from the pristine sea water off the coast of Brittany, France. It is harvested using the celtic method, which entails lying out the salt on wood to dry, absorbing some of the flavor of the wood.

The superb flavor of this natural salt is enhanced with our aromatic estate produced culinary lavender, all froen eithout the use of pesticides or herbicides. Great in marinades, salad dressing or mixed with olive oil as a dip.