Sonoma County Farm Recognized for Organic Tuscan Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Apple Cider Balsamic Vinegar
SEBASTOPOL, Calif. June 8, 2026— Gold Ridge Organic Farms has earned three 2026 Good Food Awards from the Specialty Food Association for its organic Tuscan Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Apple Balsamic Vinegar. Chosen from more than 1,200 entries through a blind tasting process, the awards recognize products that exemplify exceptional taste, craftsmanship and responsible production practices. As one of the leading producers of estate-grown olive oils and orchard-crafted specialty foods, the 2026 honors bring Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ total Good Food Awards to five. The oils have also won awards from the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC, 2025 Gold), and the California State Fair (2025 Gold) this year.
Produced entirely on the farm’s certified organic estate in Sebastopol, Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ olive oils are known for their quality and distinctive flavor. The farm grows, harvests and mills its olives on-site, creating small-batch extra virgin olive oils that reflect the character of Sonoma County's famed Gold Ridge soils, lauded by Luther Burbank and the best in the world.
“People always ask what our secret ingredient is, and the answer is pretty simple—healthy soil, a slow-growing season, and great fruit," said farmer and owner Brooke Hazen. “When you start with exceptional fruit, grown organically and harvested at their peak, the flavors speak for themselves. It's rewarding to see a season's worth of hard work in the orchard recognized in this way.”
TASTES OF THE AWARD WINNERS
The organic Tuscan Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a medium-bodied blend of Frantoio, Leccino, Maurino and Pendolino olives with notes of fresh herbs, green apple, bay leaf and green tea, finishing with a balanced peppery kick. The farms’ cooks recommend it for everyday cooking, over barbeque meats and vegetables off the grill, pastas and polenta.
Produced through traditional co-milling of estate-grown Meyer lemons and a blend of the farm’s most delicate Spanish and Italian olive varieties, the Meyer Lemon Olive Oil offers bright citrus aromas, fresh lemon flavor and a silky finish with subtle pepper notes. Try it on a lemon olive oil cake, drizzled over a lemony pasta and pour it generously over hot popcorn and tossed with flaky salt.
Crafted from estate-grown dessert-quality apples and small-batch barrel-aged apple cider vinegar, the Apple Cider Balsamic Vinegar is a rich, balanced vinegar with layered complexity, mellow acidity and subtle fruit character, with the mouthfeel of a classic Italian balsamic vinegar. The vinegar is elegant enough to enhance many culinary endeavors, and tart, tangy, and versatile enough to pep up a vegetable salad, grain bowl, or refreshing beverage every day of the week.
Find the award-winning products:
- Online at goldridgeorganicfarms.com. The winners are bundled into the 2026 Good Food Award Winners Gift Set of Organic Olive Oil & Vinegar Trio.
- Gold Ridge Organic Farms Farm Shop & Tasting Room, 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol, California.
View the complete list of 2026 Good Food Award winners linked here.
- Every Thursday at the San Rafael Marin Civic Center Farmers Market at Booth #164.
ABOUT GOLD RIDGE ORGANIC FARMS
Founded in 2000 by farmer Brooke Hazen, Gold Ridge Organic Farms is an 88-acre (OTCO) Oregon Tilth Certified Organic olive orchard and heirloom apple farm and mill in Sebastopol, California. Known for its award-winning estate-grown olive oils, certified Extra Virgin annually by the COOC (California Olive Oil Council) and certified organic by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), heirloom apples and immersive farm experiences, Gold Ridge celebrates the connection between regenerative agriculture, hospitality and the natural beauty of Sonoma County.
MEDIA CONTACT
Laiko Bahrs
[email protected]
415-794-9882
Press Kit for Gold Ridge Organic Farms:
DropBox Images of olive oils and apple cider balsamic vinegar trio