Council Oak Farm

Council Oak Farm is a small olive oil producer located east of Paso Robles, California, in an area recognised for quality EVOO production and viticulture. The family operation encompasses 40 acres of rolling hills dotted with oak trees, with the most prominent oak standing on the highest hill serving as the farm's namesake. The farm was established in 2005 with the planting of Lucca, Picholine and Mission olive varieties, followed by the addition of Pendolino and Frantoio cultivars in 2009.

The olive varieties reflect a thoughtful blend of Californian and Mediterranean heritage. The Mission olive, a native Californian cultivar, offers excellent cold resistance and is harvested for oil from mid-December through February. The Picholine variety brings French heritage, known for its fruity profile with subtle pepper and anise notes when harvested early. The Lucca variety contributes pleasant fruity and nutty characteristics. From Tuscany, the Frantoio cultivar adds complexity with grassy, almond and artichoke notes, while the Pendolino provides a milder, herbaceous component to the blend.

Located in the San Miguel region of Paso Robles, the farm benefits from terroir similar to Italy and Spain—with great soil, warm summers, and a winter rainy season that supports olive production. This area has the highest concentration of small olive growers in California. Council Oak Farm prioritises immediate local milling after harvest for oil quality. The family has been producing olive oil for nearly two decades, developing expertise across their diverse range of olive varieties grown on the sunny California hillsides.