Graber Olive House is no longer offering tours, and its future is in doubt.
Graber Olive House is located in Ontario, California, making it a beautiful day-trip destination year-round. If you visit during the fall harvest season, you can see the historic cannery of the Olive House.
Since 1894, Graber Olive House has been experimenting with olive production. It’s believed that the first olive trees were brought to California by Spanish missionaries in 1769. When C.C. Graber discovered olive trees growing on his land, he began experimenting with recipes from old ranchers.
More than a century later, the family has become experts at growing, curing, and canning some of California’s best olives. Graber Olive House specializes in tree-ripened olives, a somewhat time-consuming process but a superb way to bring out the best in these green and black beauties.
The olives come from the family ranch located in the San Joaquin Valley. Several hundred tons of olives are trucked to the historic Ontario Olive House each year for canning or processing into olive oil.
October through December marks the harvest season for olives, and this time of year is a hive of activity and excitement at the Graber properties. It’s the perfect time to plan a visit and purchase some gourmet goodies, which make excellent holiday gifts for the food enthusiasts among your family and friends who appreciate high-quality products.
Graber Olive House Gift Shop
The Graber Olive Sampler is an excellent “starter kit”; however, there is far more on offer than these salty, savory treats. Graber’s Classic Combos are a favorite with visitors to the house. They perfectly paired best-selling Graber olives with roasted almonds, jumbo Medjool dates, and other local specialties.
For those with a sweet tooth, Graber offers the “Sweet Indulgence” package, consisting of handmade preserves, dried fruits, and a pecan log with a caramelized fudge center, all beautifully wrapped and presented.
One of the most popular items is a beautiful box filled with olives, top-quality olive oil, almonds, and chocolate-covered Bing cherries. According to the staff at Graber House, their premium baskets are trendy gifts over the holiday season.
Gift baskets are packed with limited edition wines from the Cucamonga Valley, artisan-cured meats, cheese, and delicious espresso-flavored candies. Of course, Graber olives are a part of the package!
A recipe book shares some secret family recipes and staff picks. There are many ways to incorporate olives and olive oil into delicious dishes. Every olive specialist has a preferred way of enjoying this fruit.
Olives are a fruit
You heard me right. Olives, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados, are technically a fruit. The system for sorting fruits and vegetables is based on whether they serve a reproductive function for the plant in question. And olives do just that for an olive tree.
It is widely recognized that olives and olive oil are excellent sources of mono-saturated fats (good ones) and can reduce your risk of heart disease. They’ve also been proven to lower cholesterol. The Graber family generously donates a portion of the cookbook’s profits to the American Cancer Society.
Graber Olive House is open year-round. Free guided tours of the olive processing area, two gift shops, & museum. 315 E 4th St, Ontario, CA 91764. Website. .