Is Great Olive Tours a licensed tours operator?
Yes, Great Olive Tours is in full compliance of the law under the PUC of the state of California. Sightseeing Permit TCP017391-S.

Will the tour be just our group, or will there be other people?

The tour is for your group only. There will be no other guests.

What kind of touring car will we be in?

The touring car is a Mercedes sedan that seats three comfortably. It can seat up to four guests if one person sits in a middle seat. (If your group is larger than four people, we can discuss other options.)

Do you do tours that are less than all day?

Yes, tours are arranged to meet your needs. Tours can be from three to eight hours. However, I recommend a tour of at least four hours.

What do we do on a tour besides tasting olive oil?

You’ll experience the whole world of olives! You will:

	Tour old-world orchards and historic ranches.
	See the methods for pressing and crushing olives using Italian equipment.
	Taste different foods with olive oils to understand how to pair food with them.
	Learn how to evaluate olive oils. For example, do you know that color has nothing to do with quality? What makes an olive oil defective? And “extra virgin”? Do you know that a late harvest oil tastes very different from one that’s harvested early? And what do different olive cultivars (varieties) taste like?
	By special arrangement: participate in a cooking demonstration using olive oil for sweet and savory dishes; enjoy lunch in an olive orchard or on a terrace with gorgeous views of the Napa Valley.

What if I want a wine and olive oil tour? Can I do both on your tour?

Absolutely! Since we customize our tours to fit your preferences, we easily provide both wine and olive oil tours. For example, a number of boutique vintners also produce high quality olive oil, so a tour can be arranged to taste both products. And though there are obvious differences, the method of tasting olive oils and tasting wines are similar.

What are sample tours and what do they cost?

Some of the family properties we visit are truly breathtaking. Their orchards, architecture, landscaping, and vistas will make you think you’re in Italy or France!

A full-day tour is one that may include visits to private estates or historic ranches with lovely orchards, beautiful vistas, and 100+year old olive trees. These small-family producers make artisan, award-winning olive oils, and are generally not open to the public. Your day may also include a prearranged, private cooking demonstration at an estate with breathtaking views and/or lunch on an Italianate terrace with jaw-dropping views of the Napa Valley (exclusive to Great Olive Tours). We may also visit an old-world Italian retailer and olive oil bottler in a funky, historic building.

If you wish, your tour may also include visits to boutique vintners who are off-the-beaten-track; and in addition to producing fine wine, they may also produce luscious olive oil. The cost of a full-day tour is $600.00 for a 7-8 hour day for up to four guests. It does not include per capita site fees (usually $15.00-$20.00) per site. Lunch is not included. There is no additional cost for a tour that goes beyond 8 hours.

A half-day tour, including some of the itinerary of a full-day, costs $75.00 per hour for up to four guests, and does not include per capita site fees.

Why would I choose your tour for $75.00 per hour when there are less expensive tours in the wine country that I can take?

Great Olive Tours is a unique and exclusive experience. In fact, it’s the only tour of its kind! In addition, you ride in a luxury sedan with your own party only. We go places that other tour companies do not or cannot go. And your tour is customized for you. In addition, your host is an educated, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable source of information; she’s not just your driver.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, Great Olive Tours accepts Visa and Mastercard.