15 Olives

15 Olives is an American, family-owned producer with orchards in Florida and Central California, cultivating a range of olive varieties including Arbequina, Arbosana, Picual, Koroneiki, Coratina, Taggiasca, Leccino, Maurine, and Frantoio. Founded by Stuart Alfonso, 15 Olives focuses on producing olive oil and vinegar from USA-grown olives, following a farm-to-table approach without additives, synthetics, or food dyes.

The Florida orchard is situated approximately 45 minutes east of Tallahassee and features Arbequina, Arbosana, Picual and Koroneiki olive varieties. The California orchard in Central California benefits from a more Mediterranean climate, allowing for the cultivation of additional varieties including Picual, Coratina, Taggiasca, Leccino, Maurine, Frantoio, Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki.

Olives are harvested at peak ripeness and transferred immediately to a mill, with the fruit never touching the ground. A team of highly experienced millers capture the fine flavours and aromas to produce the extra virgin olive oil, which is stored in stainless steel tanks in a climate-controlled room with no exposure to light or oxygen.

Stuart Alfonso is a Certified Sensory Panelist through the UC Davis Olive Center at the Robert Mondavi Institute and an active member of industry organisations including the Florida Olive Council and the American Olive Oil Producers Association. He has worked with the UF/IFAS Research & Development department and regularly shares knowledge on olive oil tasting and production practices. He enjoys sharing his passion for olive trees and olive oil with other farmers and teaching people what an extra virgin olive oil tastes like.