Former software marketing executive and surfer Brad Asmus raises olive trees for oil and husbands bees for honey on 12 acres in Pleasant Valley, near Santa Cruz, California.
Asmus Family Pleasant Valley Olive Oil is the only certified organic producer of olive oil in Santa Cruz county. Our oil is tested by a lab certified by the California Olive Oil Council and exceeds the standards for “extra virgin” rating. The oil is a field blend of Pendolino, Frantoio, Casaliva, Leccino and Carboncella olive varieties.
For those new to fresh, extra virgin olive oil, the texture, flavor, and finish of the oil will be a revelation. For oil connoisseurs, the luxurious texture, complex flavors, aromas and spicy finish will inspire comparisons with the finest olive oil available anywhere in the world.
We make no “organic” claim for our honey. After all, who knows where the girls go when they’re seeking out nectar and pollen to nourish their hives? We do know that growing practices among the apple, grape, cut-flower, and vegetable growers in Pleasant Valley are as low impact as they can make it. We believe that the butterscotch flavor of the honey comes from the manzanita and eucalyptus trees that make up the bulk of the bee-friendly growth in Pleasant Valley. Our oil is never heated or filtered to make it more amber or pourable. It is medium-dark, very rich, and it’s so low in water content that it solidifies quickly when the temperature drops.
We produce very little of the olive oil and honey. For a few years we sold in a few select markets. These days, it almost all goes to folks who have encountered the honey in the homes of family or friends and have found their way onto our “alert” list. Drop us an email if you’d like to get on the list.
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