We were overjoyed to discover some of the world’s finest extra virgin olive oil is being produced in our own backyard, the Santa Ynez Valley outside of Santa Barbara. Elise Magistro, the daughter of a Basque mother and Sicilian Father, is the genius behind Luretík (from the French Basque “that which is from this earth”) and she pays respectful homage to the joys of Southern and Central Italy with her three sublime estate grown olive oils of exceptional quality: Sicily, Toscana and Meridione. We are raving about these olive oils because they more delicate and grassy with pronounced hints of almonds.

Luretík Sicily is a versatile fruity, bright and peppery oil that pairs well with an array of dishes. A blend of Nocellara del Belice and Cerasuola varieties, we’d call it medium-fruity and well-balanced with cut grass notes, moderate bitterness and a long finish.

Meridione is crafted from two Italian varieties, Coratina (Puglia) and Carolea (Calabria), and is a medium-robust, fruity oil with peppery notes that pairs well with full-flavored foods, including grilled meats and seafood. Already a judges’ favorite, Meridione recently won three coveted awards at the prestigious Athena International Extra Virgin Competition in Greece. Out of a field of 582 entries from 15 countries, Luretík’s Meridione received a rare Double Gold Medal, and was recognized by the special awards category as Best Worldwide Blend and Best Worldwide Organic Extra Virgin.

Toscana is a blend of Frantoio and Pendolino varieties, a light-fruity oil, with grassy notes and green almond undertones. With its slight peppery finish, this lovely oil is versatile in the kitchen, adding subtle flavor to fish, white meats, and tender greens. An excellent choice for use in baked goods.

We applaud Elise and Luretík because they believe that the highest quality extra virgin olive oils begins with good stewardship of the land. They are a small producer, and their fully certified organic grove consists of 900 trees comprising 9 Italian varieties. As owners, they are committed to sustainable farming practices that will ensure the continued health of the land for years to come. Their select varieties – Nocellara del Belice, Cerasuola, Carolea, Cerignola, Cipressino, Coratina, Frantoio, Itrana and Pendolino – have adapted beautifully to Luretík’s loamy-clay soils and the temperate Mediterranean climate of Santa Barbara County.

We can’t think of a better gift for the holidays than a pair–250 ml bottle of each, at $55 for the combo. https://www.luretik.com/