Gold Ridge Organic Farms is located 50 miles northwest of San Francisco in the rolling hills of Sebastopol in beautiful Sonoma County, California. Founder-Farmer Brooke Hazen settled here in 2000 knowing that sandy loam soils and coastal breezes would offer ideal conditions for farming. He planted 70 acres of olives, 16 acres of heirloom apples, a variety of citrus fruits, and English lavender.
The proximity of Gold Ridge Organic Farms to the Pacific Ocean in West Sonoma County offers unique benefits for farming. Temperatures are cooler than inland locations, thanks to generous breezes from the Sonoma Coast. The sandy loam of Gold Ridge soils provides excellent drainage and an outstanding natural chemical balance to all our orchards. These attributes encourage plant growth without vigor. This unique combination of soil, climate, and place is the foundation for growing our healthy and delicious fruit.
Our 70-acre olive orchard has approximately 13,000 trees and includes a diverse selection of Italian, Spanish, and French cultivars. The olives are harvested and then crafted into small lots of olive oil at the farm within hours of harvest at our onsite mill. The resulting oils are fresh, delicious, and high in antioxidants. All four blends are certified Extra Virgin annually by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC).
Sixteen acres of apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Pearl, dot the rolling hills of the farm, interspersed with an array of beloved Heirloom apples. Dwarf apple trees were selected with hand harvesting in mind. A smaller portion of the orchards are devoted to Heirloom Asian and European pear varieties.
We cherish our Heirloom apple varieties, including Hoople’s Antique Gold, Red Gravensteins, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Ashmead's Kernel, Cox's Orange Pippin, and many others. Our commitment to preserving these antique apple varieties serves as a treasured link to the past and ensures their enjoyment by future generations.
Gold Ridge Organic apples are available for sale locally in Sonoma County, the San Francisco Bay Area, and regionally at Whole Foods Markets in Northern California and the Reno-Tahoe area.
Some apples are destined for apple cider, apple sauce, and our own proprietary line of apple cider vinegars, including a classic apple cider vinegar, pear-apple cider vinegar, and apple balsamic vinegar. Subscribe to our mailing list for first access to the latest releases.
Citrus groves of Meyer Lemons, Mandarin-Kumquats, Satsuma Mandarins, and a handful of other unique varieties are peppered around the farm and surround the courtyard entry to our Olive Mill and Farm Shop.
Gold Ridge Organic Farms citrus fruits are available for sale locally in Sonoma County and regionally in Northern California. Our citrus Olive Oils are available for purchase at our Farm Shop and online in our web store.
And with the sprig of a fruited olive, man is purified in extreme health.
— Virgil, Aeneid
We offer custom olive milling for conventional and Certified Organic growers, large and small, with a 200-pound minimum. During olive harvest, we process fruit in our state-of-the-art Rapanelli olive press from Italy, which can press two tons of fruit per hour with a modern three-phase blade method. We also offer bottling services. Milling is available by appointment only.
Interested customers may contact us via Milling@GoldRidgeOrganicFarms.com for more information.
Gold Ridge Organic Farms is committed to organic farming and promoting healthy farm-to-table foods. Our olives, apples, and citrus are Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth (OTCO). The mill is Certified Organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The certification process holds us accountable to the highest standards.
Our Gold Ridge Olive Oils achieve Extra Virgin status annually through the certification process by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC). The COOC assures the quality of real California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, through rigorous lab analysis and sensory testing by a panel of experts each harvest season. The COOC certification is recognized internationally for the highest standards of quality. You will find the COOC seal on each one of our bottles of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, along with the year of harvest.
We proudly use our windmill to harness prevalent maritime breezes and contribute to the clean energy grid.
I was inspired by a great love affair with the grace and elegance of the olive tree. I believe it is the most beautiful of all crops to grow. It started with planting and growing olive trees and naturally expanded into pressing the olives into olive oil.
— Founder, Farmer Brooke Hazen
Brooke Hazen always dreamed of growing and selling farm to table foods under his own brand. A Southern California native, Brooke grew up loving the ocean and the natural world. His affinity for the land, healthy living, and natural foods eventually led him to move north in order to study Agriculture at Humboldt State and Prescott College. Brooke’s vision was to grow nutritious, organic foods and to sell them to his community in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the early days, he grew row crops and sold them at Farmers Markets. In 2001, Brooke’s dream to own land became a reality when he purchased 88 acres of pastureland in bucolic Sebastopol for olive, apples, and citrus and it became Gold Ridge Organic Farms. When he's not farming, Brooke has written a book on holistic health.
Andrea Lederle joined the Gold Ridge team in 2018 as a veteran of the wine world. In her youth she visited her dairy farmer grandparents in Michigan and farming became important in her life. She grew fond of open spaces and mountain landscapes during her childhood in Boulder, Colorado. Formative years spent studying in Paris, France inspired a life-long appreciation for food, wine, and a sense of place. Andrea enjoys connecting with people, promoting organic products, and representing the farm in the greater community. Today, she appreciates her short commute, her labradoodle Charley, and the bucolic views surrounding the orchards.
Guillermo is the Master Miller, and has been trained by Rapanelli, Pablo Cabanassas, and Pablo Voitzuk in the latest techniques for creating the highest quality olive oil. Hailing from Michoacan, Mexico he now calls Sonoma County home. He has worked for Gold Ridge Organic Farms since 2015. For the 15 years prior, he worked in the wine industry, tending grape vines. Guillermo is an accomplished mechanic who runs all aspects of the press and keeps our other machinery in optimal working order. In his free time, he enjoys tinkering with cars and spending time with his family. He also plays guitar, electric bass, and sings in a Mariachi band.
Naomi grew up in a small town south of Boston but found herself drawn to the vastness and beauty of the American West from an early age. Summers spent tending her mother's vegetable and herb gardens on their ¼ acre suburban farmette helped her draw the direct line from dirt to plate. After graduating from Smith College, she accepted a role in northeastern Utah, guiding youth through its wild mountain and desert backcountry, where some of the most memorable experiences involved cooking dinner and sharing stories around a campfire. A desire to share her connection to certain landscapes with others through food, writing, visual storytelling, and direct experience has informed her career. She joined the Gold Ridge Organic Farms team in 2021 and manages digital marketing, sales, and creative development. Naomi especially enjoys collaborating with local makers to create products and experiences that showcase the bounty and natural beauty of Sonoma County.
My gift arrived and it was so fun to open! What an amazing small business... totally impressed with how everything was wrapped and packaged for shipping! Honeycrisp apples are my favorite and I can't wait to try the syrup. What an extravagant gift... everything looks delicious!
Ausma K.
Your EVOO is excellent and the best value I have found! We are repeat customers (in Connecticut) and will keep coming back!
Michael G., Plainville, CT
The Picholine Blend: Excellent per usual, thanks again.
Ty J., Hemet, CA
Absolutely love the flavor, texture and the overall taste of the Minerva Olio Nuovo. The high polyphenol count, USDA Organic and California certification are very important to me. The quality of your operation from the way you grow, harvest, process, store and ship your product is superb! Awesome customer experience every time I call. Very informative and pleasant to talk with. Extremely happy with Gold Ridge Organic Farms! I’m a customer for life. I have also referred Gold Ridge to several family members. My cousin loves your olive oil as much as I do. She mentioned to me that she hasn’t had such quality and flavor since we were kids growing up in our old world Greek cultural environments. Both of our fathers were in the restaurant business. In addition, the women of the households were incredible authentic Mediterranean cooks as well. That’s a great testament to your company and the quality of your products.
Matt M., Longmeadow, MA
Your EVOO is extraordinarily delicious! The oils are smooth, flavorful, and absolutely outstanding. I found your EVOO to be perfect for drizzling on cooked vegetables, and salads; although I use it anywhere I would previously use butter or a spread. The taste is simply incredible. Thank goodness you ship to the east coast; I'm so glad I found you and I will continue to be a customer.
Carol T., Hackettstown, NJ
My feedback on the Olio Nuovo Tuscan Blend 2022 Harvest: OUTSTANDING oil. If freshness is what it's all about, then you guys are DEFINITELY the WINNER.
Leslie H., Oak Harbor, WA
My feedback on the Minerva Blend 2021 EVOO: Your Olive oil is fantastic! It is probably the best I've ever had. I am 100% Greek and grew up with an immigrant father who believed in quality food. As soon as I open the bottle, the aroma hit me. It reminded me of my childhood and how delicious food used to smell. My cousin tried it first and contacted me to tell me all about it. From now on this is my oil. Absolutely love it!
Ann V., Buzzards Bay, MA
My feedback on the Olio NUOVO Minerva Blend 2022: Very happy with the Minerva Olive Oil! Excellent taste, the best quality olive oils l have ever tried. Also, great service. I like being able to speak with someone on the phone when I have a question. You offer a customer service experience whenever I call. You have a customer for life. Also, have references several to your company. Recently, my cousin has ordered a bottle of the Minerva and loves as much as I do.
Matt M., Longmeadow, MA
I loved your OLIO NUOVO Arbequina Blend! It makes the best salad dressing (with lemon juice, salt & pepper) and I’m glad it has a high percentage of polyphenols! I had bought olive oil from a different farm before and it wasn't as good as your oil. We are getting ready to order again.
Beth S., Louisville, KY
I saw this olive oil on La Briffe recommended by Ruth Reichl. I love olive oil. My grandmother was from Croatia and she cooked with olive oil as did my mother way before it was chic to do. I am a native Californian and I live in Georgia. I miss California and I love La Briffe and Ruth's recommendations for things like your olive oil. It keeps me in touch with all things California.
Pam H., Decatur, GA
I haven’t encountered many American olive oils that knocked me out, but this one from Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastapol is exceptionally good.
Ruth Reichl, James Beard Award Winner, Food Writer & Chef
We really appreciated the informative and tasty presentations as well as farmer Brooke’s informative tour of the orchard. A+ Everyone was super nice.
Blane H., Cloverdale, CA
Always happy with your olive oil! Someday we hope to visit the farm. It looks beautiful!
Ryan J., Portland, OR
I learned so much about apples! Thanks. I thought the oil tasting was so well organized and I enjoyed the experience very much. I’ll be spending more on olive oil Now. Thanks!
Sara S., Sebastopol, CA
Love your organic olive oils - they are amazing! Whenever we are in the area will visit.
Scott B., San Diego, CA
I love the Meyer Lemon Olive Oil! A friend brought a bottle for me to try and I am in love. I am a personal chef and I plan to make this a regular finishing oil. I am taking it with me back east to share with friends!
Heidi L., Sebastopol, CA
I love our olive oil! Thank you.
Lisa M., Port Washington, NY
Love your olive oil, thanks!
Ryan J., Portland, OR
The Arbequina Blend olive oil is simply wonderful, and the shipping was very fast! Thank you!
Barb G., Post Falls, ID
I like the VOLO Chocolate with Meyer Lemon. Kind of satiny, not too sweet. That’s good in my book! I like the olive oil in that one too. Kind of creamy and nourishing.
Ginny A., Plainfield, MA
I saw the farm store sign from the road and came in to explore. I'm so glad I did. I tasted, and chose some gorgeous oils and vinegars too & chocolate! Some really special gifts available. Great packaging & nice hospitality. Thank you. I'll be back.
Penny L., Sonoma County, CA
Your facility is beautiful! Your olive oil is fantastic, and the specialty chocolate with olive oil is super delicious (wish they made at least 80% chocolate to cut down on the sugar). As an aside, I absolutely loved the front gates!
Bonnie K., San Francisco Bay Area, CA
My feedback on Meyer Lemon Blend Olive Oil: I love it and think you’re doing great work…a credit to the community!
Barbara C., Santa Rosa, CA
AMAZING true olive oil! The taste and texture is divine, but for us this oil has been a blessing beyond the gourmet, our autistic son has had tremendous leaps forward in healing and development, this oil is truly brain food pure and healing. Thank you for what you do!
Laina S., Naples, FL
[The tour and tasting were] very interesting and informative. Thank you.
Kristen T., Sonoma County, CA
I learned so much! Loved the samples - very generous! I am sharing my purchases with my friends, too. I made pancakes to try the apple syrup and that was a hit! Thanks to the polite and knowledgeable staff. We had a great time! We bought a few items, for us and as gifts. You have an impressive operation that we will continue to support! Thank you for your customer care, attention to detail, and knowledge. Excellence shows!
Gerard G., Napa, CA
The best, unparalleled olive oil I’ve ever had! Apple cider syrup is also second to none! What is the most impressive to me is that all of the ingredients are freshly grown, organically made! Simply the best!
Jeongbum S., San Francisco Bay Area , CA
The taste and texture is divine, but for us this oil has been a blessing beyond the gourmet, our autistic son has had tremendous leaps forward in healing and development, this oil is truly brain food pure and healing. Thank you for what you do!
Laina S., Naples, FL
A friend gifted me the assorted tins for Christmas and I am very impressed. Delicious oil. As I cannot do dairy and do not like margerines I found scrambling my egg in this olive oil was sublime. You don't want to waste it on dishes where you cannot get the full impact of its delicious flavor. I am hooked.
Jean M., Grants Pass, OR
I will NEVER go back to store bought oils! The difference in taste between fresh and store bought was extraordinary.
Sheryl P., Cheboygan, MI
My entire experience was wonderful. The order arrived in a very timely manner, and the product is excellent!
Barb G., Bonners Ferry, ID
We love the Honeycrisp-Fuji Apple Cider syrup! Thank you!
Sarah H., Culver City, CA
Great products, excellent service!
Karen K., Los Angeles, CA
Recipients of the EVOO were delighted. Nice to get positive feedback from foodies.
Yvonne , Sebastopol, CA
Very good people and service.
Mateo S.
Always a pleasure working with Gold Ridge Organic Farms for custom milling. Very professional, helpful and friendly.
Bill M.
Delicious products and a beautiful view.
Steven M.
So far have been splashing Minerva on our pasta. No more boring pasta dinners! The details were also good - packing material, gold tab on bottle for opening, info for using each oil, drop down tab to cover spout opening, etc… Every detail well planned.
Patti L., Bellevue, WA
Thank you providing this service to our community. I was so happy to be able to have my olives individually milled this year. In the past I have always participated in a community press. So this is the first time I have been able to taste my very own olive oil! Thanks for making that possible!
Mary Lee M.
We've only opened up one bottle so far but we are pleased. I'm a bit of an olive oil snob. Your oil has flavor and smells like fresh grass. I put it on my air popped popcorn with salt. It's delicious! So glad I found you! Can't wait to try the other oils and get the new harvest oils in the future!
Debbie V., Boulder, CO
Everything is so great! Love the tins as much as the bottles and enjoying both right now. Love giving these oils as gifts too!
Laurie S., Sonoma, CA
The olive oils are excellent. My favourites are Tuscan and Arbequina and the fact that they are organic makes them even better. Also the packaging is exceptional.
Joanne H., Red Bluff, CA
I’m very happy with your Arbequina Blend. It’s smooth and fresh. It makes everything taste elegant. I love it. I also love your Minerva olive oil.
Cheri R.
The Strawberry Parfait apples made a lovely, fluffy applesauce in a soft pink color. Not as deep a color as the Pink Pearls, and the flavor is milder than other varieties in the markets here - but very pretty nonetheless... With a wee bit of my "secret ingredient" it tastes great!
Jennie C.
I recently picked up some Gold Ridge Organic Farms strawberry parfait apples from Whole Foods. They are some of the best apples I’ve ever had.
Samantha E.
Excellent packaging and true authentic organic extra virgin olive oil with the bite to the palate that distinguishes it from poor quality and purported EV olive oils. Thanks again expect repeated orders to come!
Ty J., Hemet, CA
LOVE IT!!! I take a shot of olive oil every day. (Along w/all the other stuff we use EVOO for!). Picholine Blend is high in polyphenols, which is why I chose this blend… I'm after the health benefits of higher polyphenols… I love that Gold Ridge is organic, I love all the awards they have, I love that they are a small farm, I love the taste and quality of the olive oil!
Ashley C., Murrieta, CA
I received my shipment in good order. I have opened the Tuscan Blend and was very impressed with its flavor and finish. The others I have not tried at this time. Since I, also, am a very small olive grower and making some organic extra virgin olive oil, I love to try other oils.
Marilyn M., Calistoga, CA
Love love love my order! I was introduced to the goldridge olive oil from My real good greens delivery that I started. I love the olive oil so much that I order a bottle almost every week. I also told a girlfriend about it, she ordered some, and I ordered some for My mom and sister who live in New York. I have never had such amazing olive oil, and absolutely love it! Thanks
Nancy S., San Francisco, CA
Five Stars!!!! Thank you Andrea and Brooke! LOVE your product!!! Hope that Montage Healdsburg can send guests for tasting, special events some day! Hotel opens November 18!!
Laurie S., San Clemente, CA
I am happy with the Arbequina olive oil. I had been looking for a long time for an olive oil appropriate for making a vinaigrette that was flavorful without being overpowered by the strong taste of the olive oil. And now I have found it! Thank you!
Deborah , Del Mar, CA
We love this oil. I feel better about consuming an oil that is actually good for you as long as I don’t over heat it or use too much of it at once
Irene D., Port Townsend, WA
Amazing!!!
Merhunisa K., Bronx, NY
I love this olive oil. I had been looking and trying many olive oils to try to find a mild but flavorful oil that would not overwhelm salad dressings and vegetables. This is absolutely a perfect oil for these purposes. I now also use it as my overall go to olive oil. It enhances and does not detract from other flavor profiles. Just delicious! I also love the pouring spout that was included in my first order. I love it so much I even sent this oil to a friend of mine who also loves to cook.
Deborah M., Del Mar, CA
We appreciate the chance to support local artists.
We’re on a keto diet that requires us to consume a cup of oil a day. Your sampler has made this program tasty!
It was flawless and the packaging was perfect!
Excellent! Gave some to my mom, sister, and son/fiancé for Xmas. They loved it! My son and fiancé (in colorado) said it is the best olive oil they have ever had! My mom and sister are repeat gifts. My mom asked for more of the goldridge olive oil for Christmas. Always pleased with goldridge.
Nancy S., San Francisco, CA
I LOVE your olive oil so much. It is smooth and bright and delightful. AND its the only oil I wanted to provision my upcoming sailing adventure with for 6 months!
Aria A., Hallandale Beach, FL
Thank you.
I am very happy with your product. Shipping was fast and quality is excellent!
Danielle L., Sequim, WA
Great arrived before we expected it. Andrea is wonderful, she knew what we wanted with just......it begins with a P
John G., Lake Oswego, WA
I'm only on my first of the trio, Minerva, but I'm already super happy with my order. And, as a longtime connoisseur, you are now one of my favorite olive oils, not kiddin, and will now be in my regular rotation. Thank you for the complimentary pour spout. I never liked their idea as to keep oxygen out. But I love it. Super convenient and makes it easy to pour all over the place.
Homero D., Driftwood, TX
Great service and love the olive oil!!
Deb , Perry, MO