Bringing Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars from all over the world!

The Olive Oil Pantry opened in Manteca in 2011, providing its customers with the very best olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet food items, and gifts. From the moment  I first set foot in the store years ago, I absolutely loved it and dreamed of having the chance to own it someday. 

That day arrived in 2017 when the owner (knowing that I loved the store) called me and offered to sell it to me. When my husband Mike asked me what I wanted for my birthday that year, I told him, “The Olive Oil Pantry,” so he made it happen. On October 3, 2017, we completed the purchase and closed the store for nearly a week to paint and completely remodel. 

We reopened for business on October 9, 2017, thrilled with the opportunity to continue the fine traditions of the store and to explore new ways to educate the public about the health (and taste!) benefits of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and to expand the store’s product offerings into new areas. 

Once we purchased the business, my husband told me that I really needed to consider becoming an expert in olive oil, so he sent me to New York to be trained under Curtis Cord, founder of the Olive Oil Times, to become a Level II certified Olive Oil Sommelier at the International Culinary Center in the SoHo district in May 2018. I also attended the fifth annual Olive Oil Conference, presented by the North American Olive Oil Association, in June 2019 in New York City, and competed at the North American Olive Oil Tasting Challenge, conducted by the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes organization, winning the First Runner-Up award. 

In our ongoing quest to provide the Central Valley with the best possible olive oils and balsamic vinegars, we would love to have you come in for a free tasting, and experience the world of flavors at the Olive Oil Pantry.

Looking forward to seeing you! 🙂

Caroline Elness

Owner