Current Press

Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol earned Best of California and Best of Class for its Picholine Blend at the 2026 California State Fair Olive Oil Competition. The farm also received multiple gold medals across its portfolio, reinforcing its reputation for producing exceptional, award-winning olive oils in Sonoma County.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms is highlighted in the San Francisco Bay Times as a must-visit destination for tasting exceptional extra virgin olive oils from the 2025 harvest. The article celebrates the season’s finest oils and encourages readers to explore Gold Ridge’s Sebastopol farm for a firsthand tasting experience of their award-winning offerings.

Two local olive oil producers took home top awards in the state fair's recent Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.

Brooke Hazen grows 70 acres of olives at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in west Sonoma County. New flavored varietals of Meyer Lemon and Mandarin-Kumquat, front have been added to traditional milled oils. Photo taken on Thursday, October 28, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

The California State Fair recently announced the results of its 2026 California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, and two Sonoma County producers emerged with top honors.

McEvoy Ranch, a family-owned operation in Petaluma, and Gold Ridge Organic Farms, based in Sebastopol, collected a slate of awards, including the competition’s most coveted distinctions: Best of Show and Best of California.

Innovation yields top honors

At McEvoy Ranch, recognition has long been part of the story. Over its 36 years, the olive oil and wine producer has been featured in national publications such as The New York Times, Sunset magazine, Forbes and Wine Spectator, and spotlighted by Oprah Winfrey’s annual “Favorite Things” list for its Whipped Body Butter in 2024 and ODE Hand & Body Lotion Discovery Set in 2025.

The California producer was recognized for Tuscan Blend, Minerva Blend and Picholine Blend, each awarded Gold in the Medium category.

Sebastopol, United States — Gold Ridge Organic Farms has been awarded three Gold Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Tuscan Blend, Minerva Blend and Picholine Blend brands.

"This harvest was challenging because it was late. This did not stop me from harvesting at the perfect time for all the varieties, and extending our harvest later into the late fall/ early winter. I want to give thanks to such a gifted team at Gold Ridge, who all worked together so seamlessly and courageously to brave the wind, rain, and frost, to press quickly and at the highest caliber.," said Brooke Hazen, Farmer-Founder at Gold Ridge Organic Farms.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms earned Gold for the Medium-intensity Tuscan Blend, along with Gold Awards for the Medium-intensity Minerva Blend and Medium-intensity Picholine Blend. Across the three award-winning blends, the oils are distinguished by a savory aromatic profile that recalls arugula and fresh leaf, lifted by warm cinnamon and spice and anchored by a bitter almond edge.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms was started by farmer Brooke Hazen in West Sonoma County, California. The certified-organic farm sits 80 kilometers north of San Francisco in the rolling hills of Sebastopol, where coastal breezes and optimal soils provide ideal growing conditions across 30 hectares of olives. Gold Ridge Organic Farms processes estate-grown olives into four organic olive oils within hours of harvest using an Italian Rapanelli press, a rapid turnaround that helps preserve freshness and supports generous antioxidant content.

In previous interviews with Olive Oil Times, Hazen has pointed to the long, cool growing season shaped by the farm’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean as a defining factor in the character of Gold Ridge Organic Farms oils, allowing olives to mature slowly and develop flavor, color and nuance. The methodical approach extends from orchard work through harvest timing and milling decisions, reinforcing a consistent quality standard across the farm’s blends.

The three 2026 Gold Awards add to a substantial competition record for Gold Ridge Organic Farms at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition. Overall, Gold Ridge Organic Farms has earned 27 Gold Awards and four Silver Awards, with recent results including three Gold and one Silver in 2025, three Gold in 2024, four Gold in 2023, four Gold in 2022, three Gold and one Silver in 2021, four Gold in 2020, two Gold and one Silver in 2019, and one Gold and one Silver in 2017.

The 2026 results also strengthened Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where Gold Ridge Organic Farms is ranked #6 in the United States, #12 in the Northern Hemisphere and #13 Worldwide.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.

"This harvest was challenging because it was late. This did not stop me from harvesting at the perfect time for all the varieties, and extending our harvest later into the late fall/ early winter. I want to give thanks to such a gifted team at Gold Ridge, who all worked together so seamlessly and courageously to brave the wind, rain, and frost, to press quickly and at the highest caliber."

“The more you use a good quality olive oil, the better your food will taste.”
—Rolando Beramendi, founder of Manicaretti and author of Autentico

Those are words to live by, deliciously and healthily!

Spring is the time to seek out the newest extra virgin olive oils—the current harvest from olives picked and milled in the previous fall and early winter. Look for a harvest date (month and year), use up older bottles, and make room for fresh oils that deliver bright flavors to your table.

With so many exceptional extra virgin olive oils available, this is just a start. Prices will vary from store to store to direct from the producer

In this feature from Ag Alert, Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ Brooke Hazen shares insights from the fields of Sonoma County. From planting bare-root trees and navigating a challenging olive harvest to expanding U-pick experiences and farm events, Brooke reflects on how small and mid-sized farms are evolving. By building stronger direct connections with customers through tastings, tours, and hands-on farm activities, Gold Ridge is creating new pathways for sustainable farming and community engagement.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms is featured in the Spring 2026 issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country in the article “FEED’s Local Food Revolution: A Farmer Co-Op Takes Charge.”

The story highlights FEED Sonoma, a cooperative network that connects North Bay farmers with local markets, restaurants, schools, and community partners. The article features Gold Ridge founder Brooke Hazen and explores how collaboration among small farms helps strengthen the regional food system while bringing fresh, locally grown food to more people.

We’re grateful to Edible Marin & Wine Country for shining a light on the farmers and organizations working to support local agriculture.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms is proud to be featured in Martha Stewart as part of the “5 Biggest Food Trends From the Winter Specialty Food Association Show,” highlighting what’s next in the world of specialty foods. Among the standout trends for 2026 is a bold new approach to citrus — sharper, more floral, and more complex than ever before. Gold Ridge’s Makrut Lime Olive Oil was recognized for exemplifying this shift, bringing vibrant citrus character and aromatic depth to both savory and sweet applications. The annual Winter FancyFaire gathered over 12,000 industry professionals to discover emerging flavors, global influences, and innovative ingredients shaping the future of food — and Gold Ridge is honored to be part of the conversation defining what’s next on the table.

Just in time for Hanukkah, Edible East Bay features a classic winter favorite from Gold Ridge Organic Farms. Cookbook author and culinary educator Stephanie Rosenbaum Klassen shares her recipe for irresistibly crispy potato latkes, fried in Gold Ridge Organic Farms Tuscan Blend olive oil and paired with a simple, house-made applesauce. Rooted in tradition and seasonal cooking, the recipe highlights the beauty of olive oil frying, farm-grown ingredients, and thoughtful techniques that deliver crunch, richness, and comfort in every bite. From gluten-free tips to make-ahead freezing instructions, this timeless dish brings warmth, flavor, and a sense of celebration to the table, straight from the Sebastopol farm kitchen.

Ruth Reichl calls olio nuovo “the perfect present” for true olive oil lovers — and in her detailed holiday guide, she highlights Goldridge Organic Farms as a premier source for this limited-edition, just-pressed oil. Reichl explains the magic of olio nuovo: its stunning aroma, lively flavor, and the unique freshness that fades within weeks, making it one of the most ephemeral culinary pleasures. By directing readers to pre-order Goldridge’s upcoming release, she captures both the anticipation and the rarity of this once-a-year offering. For gift givers, Reichl frames Goldridge’s olio nuovo as a meaningful, gourmet option that brings the excitement of the harvest directly to the table.

Our Organic Tin Sampler was featured in the Holiday Olive Oil Gift Guide (2025), which highlights exceptional extra virgin olive oils from California and beyond. The guide celebrates Gold Ridge’s orchard-grown olives, citrus, and modern milling craft, noting our four-varietal tin set as an ideal gift for anyone eager to explore flavor, quality, and the richness of California olive oil. We’re thrilled to represent our region among such a distinguished group of producers.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms has been selected as one of 7x7’s top Bay Area gift picks for 2025. Highlighted in the Foodie Gifts category, our organic olive oils—including our limited-release Olio Nuovo and signature 250ml tins—were celebrated as beautiful, delicious gifts for the season. We’re honored to be recognized among exceptional local makers and creators in this annual guide.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms is highlighted in Edible Communities’ 2025 “Holiday Kitchen Essentials” feature, celebrating favorite ingredients and tools for the festive season. The article spotlights our Sonoma for the Holidays gift set—an elegant collection of organic olive oil, heirloom apple cider syrup, artisan chocolates, and more from our Sebastopol orchards—perfect for the food lovers on your list.

We’re honored to be included in Edible East Bay’s in-depth feature on the makers redefining California’s co-milled olive oils. The story celebrates the creativity and technique behind combining fresh olives with whole citrus, peppers, and herbs—highlighting Gold Ridge’s orchard-grown varieties and hands-on milling process. Readers get a behind-the-scenes look at our citrus harvest, the mill in motion, and the vibrant oils that result. It’s a beautiful recognition of our commitment to craft, sustainability, and flavor.

We’re thrilled to be included in Sonoma Magazine’s “Spend a Perfect Wine Weekend in the Russian River Valley” (Oct 2025)! Add an orchard hike to your itinerary and taste through our estate olive oils, vinegars, and heirloom apple products in Sebastopol.

“Insider Tip — Book an orchard hike. Sample a delicious array of artisan olive oils, vinegars, and apple products at Gold Ridge Organic Farms.”

Plan your visit, then come wander the orchards and sip, dip, and crunch your way through west county flavors.

This fall, Gold Ridge Organic Farms will host Pairing Art with Purpose—a one-night-only event uniting art, activism, and community in support of Rise of the Butterfly and Reef Revival. Guests will experience the U.S. unveiling of Butterfly Effect by renowned artist and humanitarian Layla Love, alongside commentary from legendary art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, a keynote by MMA champion Max Griffin, and presentations from ocean conservationists Angelina and Kyle Block of Global Coralition. The evening also features live music, curated tasting experiences, and Sensorium’s immersive High Tea pop-up. Proceeds will directly support survivor advocacy and global coral reef restoration.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol invites families to welcome fall at the Fourth Annual Heirloom Apple Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 am to 3 pm. Enjoy tastings of 70+ heirloom apple varieties, olive oils, apple cider balsamic vinegar, and apple cider syrup, along with cooking demos, orchard tours, trolley rides, kids’ scavenger hunts, and live music. Wood-fired pizzas, apple crumble, and cider slushies will round out the farm-fresh fun.

If you miss the festival, join the Apple U-Pick & Pizza Party on Saturday, September 27, 2025 during Weekend Along the Farm Trails to harvest organic Fuji apples and savor wood-fired pizzas.

3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol
Festival tickets: $25 adults / $10 kids 12 & under (advance reservation required).
U-pick admission: $8 adults / $3 kids + $4/lb apples (advance registration required).

Edible Communities’ Fall Kitchen Essentials roundup highlights Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ Apple Cider Syrup as a seasonal staple. Celebrated for its versatility, the syrup shines in both sweet and savory applications—from drizzling over oatmeal to mixing into salad dressings. The feature places Gold Ridge alongside other artisan brands in a curated list of autumn ingredients, tools, and products designed to elevate fall cooking.

Gold Ridge puts its heirloom bounty on the table, with tastings, slushies, and live music for the whole family.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms just gave late summer a proper anchor: the Fourth Annual Heirloom Apple Festival lands Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. — 3 p.m., in Sebastopol. It’s family‑friendly, hands‑on, and priced so locals can bring the whole crew —$25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Reservations are required.

What you get is the good stuff, not a parking‑lot fair. The farm sets out curated tastes from a handful of the 70‑plus heirloom apple varieties grown on site, along with their estate extra virgin olive oils, apple cider balsamic, and apple cider syrup. Founder‑farmer Brooke Hazen leads orchard walks.

In a glowing travel feature for The Manual, writer Sarah Joseph explores the serenity and splendor of California’s Bodega Bay—and highlights Gold Ridge Organic Farms as a must-visit destination. From our orchard walk-through tour to our award-winning olive oils and commitment to community, we’re honored to be part of her journey toward the “joy of missing out.” Read the full article to see why Gold Ridge made such a lasting impression.

Featured in the Summer 2025 issue of California Bountiful, Gold Ridge Organic Farms offers a taste experience like no other—celebrating rare heirloom apple varieties with vivid colors, complex flavors, and deep-rooted stories. Farmer Brooke Hazen shares his passion for preserving apple diversity while inviting visitors to savor the season through tastings, U-pick adventures, and the annual Heirloom Apple Festival.

Listen in as owner Brooke Hazen joins culinary expert Clark Wolf on The Drive 95.5 to discuss Sonoma County agriculture, organic farming, and the story behind Gold Ridge Organic Farms.

We’re honored to be included in Edible Communities’ latest feature: “Summer Essentials: The Ingredients and Kitchen Tools We’re Savoring”.

This beautifully curated roundup celebrates the season’s best flavors and culinary inspirations—from simple, farm-fresh ingredients to thoughtfully crafted kitchen tools. We’re thrilled that our organic extra virgin olive oils and apple cider vinegar earned a place among their summer favorites, recognized for their vibrant flavor and our commitment to sustainable farming.

At Gold Ridge Organic Farms, we take great pride in nurturing our orchards and pressing each batch of oil right here on the farm. To see our work highlighted alongside other makers we admire is a true honor.

Thank you to the Edible Communities team for supporting farmers, makers, and chefs who care deeply about the food we grow and share.

By Sonoma County Tourism's 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards

We’re thrilled to share a new video capturing the beauty and vitality of spring at Gold Ridge Organic Farms. Nestled in the rolling hills of West Sonoma County, the farm bursts to life with blooming olive orchards, pollinator-friendly wildflowers, and the steady rhythm of organic farming in action.

Join Founder-Farmer Brooke Hazen for a visual stroll through this extraordinary season—a moment of connection between land, flavor, and community.

Join host Aubrey Aquino on California Bountiful| New Window as she visits Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol. Discover how farmer Brooke Hazen harnesses the Sonoma County coastal climate to grow heirloom apples, specialty citrus, and organic olives. From innovative olive oil blends to agritourism experiences, this segment highlights the creativity, passion, and bounty that define the farm’s unique approach to sustainable agriculture.

The 79th Apple Blossom Parade brought color and community to Main Street Sebastopol, rain or shine. With a ’60s “Flower Power” theme, tie-dye and local pride were on full display.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms was glad to join in the fun. See the photo highlights by Mark Fernquest.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms has been honored with multiple awards at the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, affirming our commitment to producing exceptional organic extra virgin olive oil.

The NYIOOC is the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest, evaluating entries from producers across the globe. This year’s competition highlighted the diversity and quality emerging from California, with Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Enzo Olive Oil, and Apollo Olive Oil each securing multiple awards.

Our award-winning oils, crafted from carefully selected olive varieties, reflect the unique terroir of our Sonoma County estate. We are proud to be part of a community of producers dedicated to excellence in organic olive oil production.

For more information about the 2025 NYIOOC and the full list of award winners, visit the Olive Oil Times article.

We’re honored to be included in Sonoma Magazine’s roundup of “28 Favorite Farmstands in Sonoma County” by Eden Collier.

Spring is a perfect time to visit the farm. With 16 acres of heirloom apples—over 75 varieties—and a 70-acre organic olive orchard, we’re proud to offer a place where you can taste the season, connect with local agriculture, and bring home something truly special.

Mark your calendar for Apple Blossom Festival Weekend, April 26–27, and experience the beauty of the orchard in bloom.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms was recently featured in a story by KALW Radio exploring the challenges and changes facing small-scale food producers in Sonoma County. The piece, reported by Sarah Jesse, highlights the voices behind local farms and food businesses working to stay rooted in a shifting agricultural landscape.

We were honored to be included among the producers interviewed and to share what drives our work—stewarding this land, growing with integrity, and keeping local food alive in our community.

Listen to the full story on KALW

Thank you to KALW and Sarah Jesse for shining a light on the value of local farming. As always, we encourage you to support your local farmers and makers. Buy local.

"I am so immensely grateful, surprised, and full of pride for myself and all of the dedicated staff here at Gold Ridge Organic Farms for yet another year of sweeping Gold Awards." — Brooke Hazen

We’re honored to receive the Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil by an Artisan Producer award at the 2025 California State Fair for our Picholine Blend! This prestigious competition highlights the best of 100% California-grown olive oils, and we’re proud to be among this year’s winners.

“Winning Gold at the NYIOOC is the pinnacle of awards.” 
— Founder/Farmer Brooke Hazen

Since 2017, Gold Ridge Organic Farms has been the recipient of 24 Gold Awards in the annual NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition. Consistently ranking among the top 10 extra virgin olive oil producers in the United States and in the top 20 internationally, we are proud to be a serial winner in this most esteemed of competitions. These awards assure our customers that what they are purchasing is the real thing, 100 percent natural, the way nature intended. 

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is held each spring in New York and is the world’s most prestigious olive oil quality contest. Its annual list of award winners is considered the authoritative guide to the year’s best extra virgin olive oils. Discover the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition at World’s Best Olive Oils. 

Apple Blossoms

In late April, West Sonoma’s apple orchards erupt in shades of pink, violet, and white. For the town of Sebastopol, the blooms’ arrival is a chance for celebration. For 79 years they’ve hosted the Apple Blossom Festival, a family-friendly event with a parade, music, an art show, and carnival rides for the kiddos.

You don’t have to show up to the party to immerse yourself in apple blossom beauty, though. At Sebastopol’s Gold Ridge Organic Farm, visitors can walk through more than 12,000 trees hailing from 75 heirloom varieties, each one with its own distinctly colored flowers, on April 26th (the same weekend as the festival). A few weeks later, before the season ends, Sonoma County Farm Trails hosts their Spring Farm Tour, an agrarian adventure full of blossoms, bees, and barnyard babies held May 17th and 18th.

Peak Bloom: Late April to mid-May

From there, stop at Gold Ridge Organic Farms (3387 Canfield Road), whose name celebrates the town’s rich Goldridge soils, which helped put this agricultural region on the map. Farmer Brooke Hazen risked everything to transform this 88-acre cattle ranch into an award-winning olive operation with 13,000 olive trees as well as hundreds of apples and other fruits. Now through March marks the brief season for olio nuovo, the new release of freshly milled olive oil, which you can taste at the farmstand.

Join Gold Ridge Organic Farms as they celebrate olio nuovo season (newly released olive oils) with a pizza pop-up and an olive oil master class.

First, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Feb. 15, come and enjoy fresh olive oil drizzled on a selection of wood-fired pizzas [...]

Then, from 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 22, taste your way through a selection of fresh and lively olio nuovos with culinary educators who will teach about the flavor profiles, pairing possibilities and health benefits of the bold, unfiltered oils. 

Learn how to turn a ho-hum cheese board into an eye-popping display of flavors, textures and colors. [Demo by resident cheese expert Alli Keyser-Marti ] at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21 at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol.

Grower Brooke Hazen offers four olio nuovos: the classic Tuscan blend plus Picholine, Minerva and Arbequina single-variety oils. Hazen picks a bit later in the season, producing oils with a voluptuous, buttery texture. 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. 707-823-3110, goldridgeorganicfarms.com

“I highly recommend [using] a grassy, fruitier extra-virgin olive oil—usually called a “finishing oil”—to give the ice cream an overall flavor balance,” says Bi-Rite Creamery managing partner and pastry chef, Kris Hoogerhyde. Hill has used EVOO from California producers DaVero and Gold Ridge Organic Farms, whose Picholine blend he says “superbly” complements the slightly different flavor and texture of soft-serve. 

Host Clark Wolf talks with Farmer-Founder Brooke Hazen of Gold Ridge Organic Farms about olive oil, apples, farming in Sonoma County and much more!