Tasting Tour: Corning, CA

Somewhere in between Redding, CA and Sacramento, CA you will find vast farmland. Full of olive groves and wineries, the climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, and yields loads of of olive oil and various wines. One day I decided to go on adventure with a friend and a new column was born. Meet the tasting tour. I’ll take you on my culinary adventures in a certain region or area.

Keep on reading for my Tasting Tour of Corning, CA!


Our first stop is Lucero. An olive oil company with a beautiful brand, aesthetic, and experience. Head to Lucero to learn all about fresh-pressed olive oil and the harvesting process. Take a tour of their mill on site. (Fresh pressing the olive oil and harvesting begins the second week of October and runs until the end of December.) We went on a tour of the mill and was guided through a olive oil tasting. I had never done an olive oil tasting before and found the nuances of flavor in the different variants of olives fascinating. Similar to a wine tasting experience of a full flight, the olive oil tasting begins with milder soft notes in the palette and progresses to peppery bites and notes. Lucero also offers a full line of balsamic vinegars and infused olive oil flavors. If you’re looking for a fun festival weekend head here the second week of December where they crush fresh citrus with the fresh pressed olive oil.


Looking for a bite of lunch? Head to Farwood Grill in neighboring Orland. This grill features delicious local fare and uses the olive oil you just tasted in their dishes. A perfect complement and way to soothe your palate after tasting bold and aggressive notes of olive oil. We opted to order various burgers and split them. They were delicious! As your server about the specials, as they’re always rotating and amazing!


To finish off the day, head to New Clairvaux Vineyard.  A winery meets monastery, each month there is a new release of wines on the estate. Operated by a fifth generation winemaker, the wines are made with grapes from Napa and with grapes made from the grounds. Featuring both the Aimee label of wine and New Clairvaux label, enjoy tasting the full flight. On weekends, you will find monks serving behind the bar and working the grounds. It is a slice of heaven. With beautiful architecture and history, this vineyard and monastery is quiet and peaceful. It is unlike any other winery experience I have taken. Take time exploring the grounds, discovering the rebuilt cathedral, the fields, and the museum. If you’re interested, you can also do a retreat here for a weekend of solace. I also recommend sitting in on a daily mass, where you will hear stunning Gregorian chants.


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