Frantoio Grove

Frantoio Grove operates a premium olive farm and mill in San Martin, California, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains region. Founded by Jeff Martin who planted the first Frantoio olive trees in 2005, the operation began its transition to regenerative agriculture this year, focusing on building resilient farm ecosystems to yield robust, high polyphenol EVOO with balanced flavour profiles and reduced bitterness from tree stress.

The family discovered they are continuing a six-generation legacy of olive growers in California, learning that an ancestor crossed the Oregon Trail and planted olive trees that still stand in Davis, CA today. They built their mill from scratch, establishing it as the first and only regenerative organic certified olive farm and mill in the industry. The farm employs a fifteen-species cover crop blend to boost soil health and biodiversity, with sheep integrated into the orchard management system and protected by Kronk, the llama.

Olives are cold pressed onsite, with production favouring early harvest methods that met or exceeded internal quality targets. The team includes Patrick Martin, who runs the operation alongside his wife Claire (who manages wholesale and online orders), Ron (who built the mill building and office in 2015 and later the Quonset hut), and Pat (who manages the sheep and oversees production). The farm is also home to Rupert the dog, chief morale officer. Sustainability efforts centre on regenerative practices to support soil health and biodiversity. The farm partners with Katz Farm, collaborating on products such as late harvest olive oils and infused varieties, and distributes cold-pressed oils, honey, and soaps through an online store and select retail locations in the Bay Area and beyond.