Ren's Did You Know? - The Graber Olive House

 

Celebrate the fall harvest in sunny Southern California when the historic Graber Olive House grades, cures and cans its world-famous olives. Public tours from October through December enable people to watch the century-old process of sorting, curing and canning the family’s world-famous fruit.

The Old California harvest is an annual tradition in Ontario dating back to 1894, the same year Coca-Cola started bottling its now-famous soft drink. Owner Cliff Graber, son of Bob Graber and grandson of founder C.C. “Dad” Graber, is passing on the secrets of his family’s own famous brand to his children, who will make up the fourth generation of Graber Olive experts.
Tucked away on a shaded residential street surrounded by majestic Victorian and Craftsman-style homes, the Graber Olive House at 315 E. 4th Street still boasts the original barn where community members and ranchers would ride up on horseback in the 1800s to assist in the production of the olives. Today, many residents of this community east of Los Angeles still find extra work there during the fall, and several full-timers have been employed by the family since the 1960s.
A museum of historic relics gives visitors a close-up glimpse of days gone by; the Casa del Olivio and La Casita specialty food shops feature a variety of kitchen items, from pot holders and tea sets to sweets and fine arts. Naturally, Graber Olives, gift boxes and olive accessories are sold there, too.
The olives, now grown in the San Joaquin Valley, are shipped to the Olive House each fall and sorted for size on a wooden contraption similar to the original grader designed and built by C.C. Graber. Once sorted, the olives will cure for three weeks in 550 vats on the property and then be canned on site – labels and all. From October through December, sorting and curing takes place throughout the week, but the canning only happens on weekends.
The reputation of Graber Olives has spread internationally. People from as far off as Japan, England and Switzerland come to taste the uniquely rich and succulent gourmet fruit, to tour the grounds and museum, to browse in the shops, and immerse themselves in tranquil piece of Old California history. Online orders are placed from around the globe. For information, visit www.graberolives.com or call 800-996-5483.