You probably know West Seattle has a thriving wine and beer scene. Beverages are not all you’ll find bottled here. West Seattle also is home to olive-oil-maker Rick Martin‘s company 11 Olives – whose extra-virgin-olive-oil blend “Longevity” was a gold-medal honoree at the recent New York International Olive Oil Competition, which had more than 600 entries from more than 20 countries. “Longevity” is also a California Olive Oil Council medal-winner. Martin explains the process:
I travel to California each year for the olive harvest and source single varietal olive oil directly from the finest organic and sustainable olive growers in California. I begin crafting my blends from those olive oils in early spring here in west Seattle at a free-standing facility after the olive oil has settled and ready for blending. Creating a premium extra virgin olive oil is a tedious and challenging task while also being a labor of love that we all strive to perfect each and every year. There’s no resting on laurels in our field as olive oil producers face constant changing conditions and work tirelessly to provide the freshest and most flavorful olive oil with each new season.
P.S. Martin wanted to publicly thank West Seattle Produce owner Bruce McPherson: “It was through his kindness and willingness to offer us a chance to introduce our olive oils at his produce stand in April of 2011 that we have been able to grow.” That’s where you can buy 11 Olives’ olive oil.
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