Buzz for New Olive Festival Grows

The inaugural San Benito Olive Festival, planned for next month, will feature award-winning olive oils, premium chocolates, Hollister-grown dried Blenheim apricots and local wines.

The festival aims to showcase artisanal creations produced in San Benito County. Visitors can taste hand-crafted olive oils, including those made by Brigantino Olive Oil and Oil of Paicines.

The festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 12 miles south of Hollister at the Paicines Ranch. The ranch is a sprawling 7,500-acre working ranch located at 13388 Airline Hwy., that was established in the mid-1800s.

Participating restaurants include: Running Rooster, Ladera Grill, San Juan Oaks Dining, Doña Esther Restaurant, Marich Confectionery, B & R Farms and Papa Joe’s Spicy Products.

Wineries pouring at the festival: Calera Wine, Pietra Santa Winery, Pessagno Winery, Guglielmo Winery and Jayse Wines.

General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. VIP admission is $30, which includes access to the wine tasting. For information about the San Benito Olive Festival, call (888) 503-3373, email info@sanbenitoolivefestival.com or visit www.sanbenitoolivefestival.com.