California produced olive oils and balsamic vinegar
—We Olive’s Paso Robles store specializes in California-produced olive oils and balsamic vinegar. The store prides itself on sourcing high-quality products, with all extra virgin olive oils COOC (California Olive Oil Council) certified.
For olive oil to be seal certified, it needs to adhere to strict guidelines:
- All olive oil must be mechanically extracted without the use of chemicals or excessive heat.
- There must be less than .5% free oleic acid in the oil itself.
- Must pass a blind taste test, performed by a certified tasting panel, to ensure positive taste elements and no defects.
Once these three things have been passed, olive oil can become Seal-Certified. This seal provides quality assurance to both the consumer and retailer that the product is indeed 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Wandering through the Paso Robles store, customers find a wide range of olive oils, vinegar, gourmet foods, and gift items. The staff, knowledgeable about all the products, are happy to assist shoppers, whether looking for items for their kitchen, putting together custom gift baskets, or corporate thank you packages. For those with a special occasion, such as a wedding, We Olive offers custom labeling.
Over the past 20 years, the staff has taken great pride in delivering superior culinary items to delight its clientele. “We found what we are passionate about and have worked hard to bring that passion and kitchen inspiration to our customers through the love of food and great olive oil. We strive to make every customer feel welcome and hope that when they leave our store, they are excited about the products they have purchased,” said store manager Rudi Lasslett.
Regular customers can take advantage of We Olive‘s refill program (available in-store only). Once a bottle of olive oil or vinegar is empty, wash it and bring it back to be refilled at a discounted rate. This program allows customers to try different flavors of oil or vinegar with each refill — the customer can choose oil or vinegar offered in the store. Once filled, the bottle is corked and sealed to take home. Repeat customers earn points with their purchases and those points convert into rewards. This approach of environmentally friendly packaging and economic savings has led to a loyal customer base.
Lasslett feels the expertise developed over the 20 years since the store first opened has built trust and a reputation for quality. “We believe that the milestone of turning 20 years old in 2023 inspires trust and longevity. We are so honored to have the privilege of bringing high-quality delicious olive oil into our customers’ kitchens and yummy food into their bellies.”
We Olive is located at 1311 Park St, Paso Robles. Open Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information and other store locations visit weolive.com or call (805) 239-7667 or (805) 239-7961.
—Lisa Pretty
