Sonoma County grows far more than just wine in their land.  One other crop that has grown tremendously in the last several years is “The Olive.”  Every January and February, the county comes together to celebrate the crop and the season through a variety of events.

Every year a new poster is created.  This year’s 2015 poster created by artist Pat Meier-Johnson, a San Francisco Bay Area native with a passion for travel.  Her works reflect the places she has visited as well as everyday life in the northern California wine country where she enjoys life with her husband, Russ Johnson, an accomplished photographer and writer.

Some of the events happening in the next few weeks include:

January 9th: Martini Madness at MacArthur Place Hotel: 5pm to 7pm

45 Martini Madness

95 Martini Madness Dinner Package

Ten local restaurants compete for the best olive inspired martini.  Includes appetizers and martini tastes. Dinner Package includes Martini Madness followed by a 3 course dinner at Saddles.  Sponsored by Prohibition Spirits and Solano Vodka.

January 11th: B.R Cohn Winery

How to de-bitter Olives without the Lye

Don Landis talk about the history of the Olive, the many varieties,when to pick and describe 3 methods of de-bittering.Tasting Olives to follow.

20 Dollars per person, RSVP required.

January 16th: Olive Bash at the Sonoma Valley Inn

6-8:30pm

Join friends and neighbors on January 16, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at our newly reimagined Krug Event Center and be treated to olive-inspired bites paired perfectly with Sonoma wine and the wonderful sounds of a Bossa Nova band.

Budding teen chefs from our event partner, Sonoma Valley Teen Services, along with Rocket Catering will create the Olive Season hors d’oeuvres

All proceeds will benefit the wonderful work of Sonoma Valley Teen Services.

Tickets are on sale now for $25per person but space is limited. Find tickets and more information at brownpapertickets.com, and at www.sonomavalleyinn.com or svteens.org.

January 31: Feast of the Olive Dinner at Ramekins Culinary School

6pm-10pm. 19 chefs, 5 courses, 3 menus, one fantastic FEAST. 175 Dollars per person.

Eat, drink and exalt the enchantments of Sonoma’s famed green fruit at this year’s Feast of the Olive. The best local chefs, winemakers and olive oil producers pair up to prepare unique feast.

February 13-16, 2015: Olive Season at MacLeod Vineyards

Open House at MacLeod Family Vineyard!  First time ever, come by the ranch and enjoy the stories of 93 year old George MacLeod, a Sonoma Valley legend, and wines of the ranch.  Call for directions.  Saturday 2/13 from 10am – 4pm through Monday 2/16 from 10am – 4pm.

February 14 & 15: Olive Odyssey at Jacuzzi Vineyards (FREE)

Experience the Olive in old world style with Don Landis and a unique gathering of olive enthusiasts at An Olive Odyssey. Olive curers offer samples of their special delicacies and share their curing recipes in the stunning Tuscan courtyard at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. The Olive Press offers tours of the Olive mill, tasting Olive oil, and opens their Olive gift shop to browse. Olive notables and Olive tree experts will talk Olive and answer questions. That’s not all. Its entertaining, delicious and fun!!!