Page 98 - San Luis Obispo Visitors Guide - Summer 2025

98 SUMMER 2025 slovisitorsguide.com
Olive Oil Tasting
Taste the gold and discover the flavors
and charm of Sunshine Olive Oil
A visit to Sunshine Olive Oil in
downtown Paso Robles is a
must. Featuring a selection of local,
premium, award-winning Califor-
nia extra virgin olive oils (EVOO),
a wide variety of home goods, and
décor, this family-owned business
has earned a stellar reputation for
providing outstanding service and
exceptional products.
This year, Sunshine Olive Oil
won awards from the Los Angeles
International Olive Oil Competi-
tion, the California State Fair, the
Central Coast Olive Competition,
and the New York International Ol-
ive Oil Competition. The company
also entered competitions in Japan
and Greece, and is waiting for the
results.
Sunshine Olive Oil won four
Gold awards at the New York
competition. Not only did Sunshine
Olive Oil win Best Producer of
the Year at the 2025 Central Coast
Olive Oil Competition, but the 11
entries walked away with 10 Gold
and 1 Silver awards. The Organic
Miller Blend won a Gold and the
Organic Tuscan Blend a Silver at
the Los Angeles International Olive
Oil Competition.
Sunshine Olive Oil led the field
at the California State Fair with
Best in Show, Best in Class, and
Best in California Gold awards. The
winners are:
• Flavored Chili Oil received
Best in Show and Double-
Gold.
• Organic Miller Blend received
Best in Class Gold.
• Organic Tuscan Blend re-
ceived Best in Class Gold.
• Organic Bosana received Best
in Class Gold.
Topping the list of customer
favorites is the Tuscan Blend. Made
from a mix of frantoio, leccino,
moraiolo, and pendolino olives, the
oil is dark green and delicately bal-
anced with a flavor profile of green
olives, freshly cut grass, almond,
artichoke, and black pepper.
For those wanting a more deli-
cate oil, Sunshine’s 100% Leccino
California EVOO is a favorite. With
a flavor profile of sweet, freshly
cut grass, almond, and pepper, it
may be used for cooking, salad
dressings, and baking. Their award-
winning Miller Blend California
EVOO, with flavors of green tea,
nettle, and black pepper, is a must-
try.
The success of dedication and
passion
Sunshine Olive Oil is the result
of Catherine’s childhood filled with
olive orchards and lavender fields
in the south of France, and visiting
Templeton with her husband, Gary.
The couple fell in love with the area
during visits with their son at Cal
Poly and purchased 10 acres.
• Organic Spanish Oaks Picual
Best in California Gold.
Sample these and many other
exquisitely crafted organic olive oils
at the Paso Robles tasting room.
Receive a regular supply of Sun-
shine EVOO delivered right to your
door three
times a year
by joining the
Sunshine Olive
Oil club.
Elegant
tasting room
and shop
The ambi-
ance of the
Sunshine
Olive Oil
tasting room
and home
goods store
in downtown
Paso Robles
is unsurpassed. The tasting room
delivers a unique tasting experi-
ence of fabulous and healthy olive
oils bursting with polyphenols and
antioxidants.
Award-winning
olive oil, personal
attention, and an
elegant tasting room
and shop
Featuring stamped ceilings,
100-year-plus hardwood floors, and
a marble tasting bar made of Eng-
lish Pine, the store definitely has
what owner Catherine Miller refers
to as “a little French Je ne sais quoi.”
Crystal chandeliers sparkle above
treasures for
the home
and garden,
including
tea towels
and table-
cloths from
France and
Denmark,
olive wood
products,
jams, soaps,
gift baskets,
and more.
Tastings
start off with
a lighter oil,
then move
on to one with a heavier, spicy,
pungent flavor. Many people like
to taste vinegar as well, including
balsamic and local, wine-based
offerings.
The Millers, Alex, Chloe, Catherine, and Gary, with Chihuahuas Diva and Lilly.