Story of the Sunlight Harvest Olive Grove:
The Sunlight Harvest olive grove located outside of Winters, California was planted in
November 2019 as the seasonally cooler air transitioned over the Sacramento Valley.
Sunlight Harvest olive trees are described as a grove; the more common and traditional
term for a cultivated group of olive trees, often implying a more scenic, and less
intensively managed area. The spacing in the olive grove represents a return to past
generations where the olive trees are given ample space to grow freely above and below
ground. Originally 1200 trees were purchased but at the time of planting, it was decided
with the larger, more spread out spacing that only 700+ trees would be planted. In the
Sunlight Harvest grove, the trees are spaced 20’ x 18’ – 20 feet apart in rows with 18 ft
between the trees, giving ample room for the trees to move freely in the breeze which
helps create a healthy environment in control pests, diseases, and other maladies. In
the dirt, the roots have enough space to spread out, giving them maximum ability for
nutrient uptake and growth.
While this limited the number of trees able to be planted on
the small 6 acre creekside pasture, it increased airflow, beauty and the health of the
grove. Many olive orchards planted today are medium to high density – crowding,
squishing and pushing the trees close together at planting in order to maximize output
and profitability. While this may make good business sense, it is a historically unnatural
and relatively short termed way for the trees to live. In a heart wrenching turn of events,
the 2020 LNU fire, which started in the Napa hills, came through the orchard powered
by 30+mph wind gusts. Many of the trees were burned down to a small stub, all
irrigation lines and grow tubes were burned to the point of needing to be replaced. It
was uncertain the orchard would survive. With the help and encouragement of several
people in the community, steps were taken to bring back what had been started. The
remaining unplanted trees were used to replace the ones that clearly would not be
coming back. Many of the badly burnt trees were left planted to give them a chance to
show signs of life. Surprisingly many of the trees that looked burnt beyond the point of
return did exactly that- and returned with vigor. With careful management and
rehabilitation, the trees showed me that they were not only alive, but ready to regrow
stronger than before. Signs of the LNU fire persist, such as char marks on some of the
wood fencing and many skeletons of the surrounding 100+ year old oak trees that did
not survive the heat continue to tower over the land. A constant reminder of nature’s
beauty and ability to be dissolute.
Growing Techniques:
The growing techniques used in the Sunlight Harvest olive grove are a combination of
old world knowledge and more recently understood methods for maximizing tree
health. Regular lab testing analysis of the trees’ health allows Matt to provide the trees
with their exact supplementation and nutritional needs. All steps taken regarding
supplementation and all nutrients used in the orchard are naturally derived fertilizers.
Drip line irrigation is used to minimize water usage and evaporation and maximize
effectively growing the root zone. Many other orchards flood the entire orchard floor
with vast amounts of water inevitably wasting precious ground water through
evaporation and runoff. A no-till approach creates maximum water retention and soil
health for the cutters, shredders and microbes that create the soil food web. The little
critters that live in the soil are never disturbed which maximizes nutrient availability
and overall soil health. Soil health is the key to the healthy grove. Never has the grove
been sprayed with an insecticide, herbicide nor pesticide of any kind. Even the highest
organic certification standards in the US allow some form of these methods. This is why
the Sunlight Harvest grove has never been exposed to such products. The grass and
weeds are mowed, weed whacked and hand cultivated creating a labor intensive yet
incomparably clean ecosystem. What was previously a field that grew primarily grass
and star thistle is now a thriving habitat for countless animals who all add to the orchard
in their way. Organic inputs are the only items used to accommodate any deficiency in
the trees. Using an injection system which evenly distributes fertilizers throughout the
drip irrigation lines, the root zone is established and able to fortify the trees rapidly.
Upon harvest, no mechanical means are utilized. The olives are hand raked off the
branches onto tarps or nets on the ground where they are then collected and poured into
buckets and bins. The immaculate and award winning Bondolio mill is only a short 10
minute drive away which allows for a rapid pick to press timeline. This is part of what is
special about the oil. Within 2-3 hours of picking, the olives are cold pressed and put in
barrels for bottling. The cleanliness and professional expertise of Karen and Malcom
Bond of Bondolio is a big reason the oil is so very special. One taste of Sunlight Harvest
extra virgin premium olive oil and you are sure to understand.
Sunlight Harvest Varietals:
The varietals that make up the Sunlight Harvest grove are 3 less commonly utilized
varieties in California – Coratina, Frantoio and Taggiasca. These 3 olives blend together
creating a robust extra virgin olive oil that presents notes of green almond, green
tomato, and hints of thyme and oregano with subtle smoky undertones.
Coratina was selected for its great oil making ability as well as its incredibly high
polyphenol levels. Coratina olives, originally from Puglia, Italy present a robust,
intensely green, and fruity flavor profile with a distinct, pungent peppery finish. This
“Mother of Oils” is highly prized for its exceptional antioxidant content, often hundreds
of times higher than other varieties, and its ability to enhance, rather than blend into,
hearty dishes. The antioxidants in Coratina olive oil contain healing abilities and its
benefits are not fully understood, although studies are showing that it provides whole
body health. Some connoisseurs of this oil use it for skin, hair and beautification
purposes as it provides many benefits.
While also a robust high polyphenol oil olive, Frantoio was selected for having a more
balanced profile with olives that always produce quality and quantity. Frantoio,
originally from Tuscany, Italy, translates from Italian to “olive mill’. Needless to say
Italians have used this staple of their diet and culture throughout the centuries. Slightly
more mild than the Coratina oil, it seems to even out the strength present in the
Coratina.
The Taggiasca olive is a sort of hidden gem, not as commonly grown and utilized.
Taggiasca olive oil is a premium, delicate Italian olive oil from Liguria, Italy prized for
its golden-yellow color, velvety texture, and mild, buttery flavor with notes of almond,
pine nuts, and artichoke. The mild, sweet flavors of Taggiasca balance Sunlight Harvest
blend perfectly. The low acidity and high antioxidant levels made this the right addition
to Sunlight Harvest healthful and robust blend.
Sunlight Harvest olives are all sourced from one single olive grove in Winters,
California. The quality and methods are unsurpassed. We make no exceptions when it
comes to quality which is why the oil is undeniably incredible.
How Matt became a farmer:
Matt grew-up spending his summers in Wyoming working, fishing and riding horseback
on his family’s ranch. He learned at a young age the importance of working in harmony
with the land and animals. During his teen years his mother’s childhood dream of
owning a horse ranch of her own came true. A run-down property was acquired by
Matt’s family just outside of Winters, California. Matt spent years with his family
cleaning the property and building it as a place where horses came to live out the later
years of their life. After college Matt worked in the business world attending meetings,
conventions and traveling regularly. As he reflected on his life path and
accomplishments he felt a strong draw to leave that lifestyle behind and return to his
roots. After suddenly losing his father to a heart related problem, Matt returned to the
small horse ranch he had left many years prior and began to cultivate a dream with his
family to transition the horse ranch to an agricultural family farm. Matt became
passionate about the health benefits that can be found in high quality small grove olive
oils. Considering the dire water situation in California and his love for olive oil, the
dream of the olive grove was born. In 2019, as the grove was first planted, Matt and his
wife Katherine simultaneously found out they would be expecting their first child. The
trees are now 6 years old in the ground and he has overseen 3 harvests to date. As a
micro-producer, the quality is unsurpassed and the decision to undertake this project is
proving to be a fulfilling one. Since planting the trees, Matt and Katherine have been
blessed with 3 children who are now 5 years, 3 years and 10 months old. Humbled by
the help and support from friends and family, Sunlight Harvest pushes forward to create
a very special blend of extra virgin premium olive oil.
To good health. Enjoy the exceptional oil from Sunlight Harvest.
