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Proprietor Ryan Macdonnell and winemaker/olivemaster Chris Pedemonte gave a walking tour through the olive groves, discussing the difference between Spanish and Italian olive varieties – both are here in the gorgeous grove. Harvest was in full swing and somehow the professional harvesting team allowed the amateurs to take hold of the olive-picking device to try a hand at a real Napa Valley harvest.

Once we dusted the olive dust off of our boots, the group was taken into the mill, where the magic of transforming an olive into one of Round Pond’s many cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oils takes place. We learned the difference between the stone mill (used for the Spanish varietals, giving the oil a buttery, fruity quality) and the hammer mill (used for the Italian varietals, which are  grassier and greener in taste), and that their meyer lemon olive oil is created by tossing a crate of fragrant meyer lemon rinds from organic Ojai lemons into the stone mill with Spanish olives to create the most heavenly condiment ever.

Ryan led the group through a decadent olive oil tasting of Round Pond’s oils, vinegars and syrups, before sending us off to lunch at the winery for tasting the oils as they should be tasted – with a beyond delicious meal sourced from the estate garden 10 steps away from the table. We were left with a few tips on alternatives to just drinking Round Pond’s flavored olive oils straight from the bottle, which we were all so tempted to do.

Round Pond’s tips for maximizing olive oil deliciousness:

1. Only buy extra virgin olive oil, and treat it as a condiment to finish a dish at the end of preparing it.

2. Use grapeseed oil for cooking, as it has a higher flashpoint than olive oil

3. Try whipping up a batch of popcorn the old-fashioned way, cooking it with grapeseed oil and finishing it with extra virgin olive oil. Or drizzling some of Round Pond’s blood orange olive oil over salmon, splashing a bit of the rosemary oil onto roasted potatoes, or using a bit of the basil olive oil in pesto. More recipes are available from Round Pond.

1. What will be your go-to 2012 fall outfit in the Napa Valley? And what should we wear to the Flavor! Napa Valley food and wine festival?

Fall is such a cozy, yet transitional season. With cooler temperatures and occasional rain, invest in a few key pieces that become your wardrobe staples. My go-to pieces over the years have become: a classic pair of black or brown boots, an amazing pair of dark wash jeans (I love J Brand Jeans) and the softest cashmere or chunky cable knit sweater. These pieces are a versatile background to pair against your favorite winter accessories; like printed scarves and colorful gloves and hats!

While attending Flavor! Napa Valley layering will be ideal. This will make it effortless to transition from in between the grapevines to events at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). A medium weight coat or jacket over a lightweight sweater will be comfortable enough throughout the day. A heavier denim paired with a flat boot will make it easy to experience the wineries and then head straight to all the divine cooking demonstrations.

2. Any footwear advice on urbanites visiting the Napa Valley for Flavor? Must one completely forgo form for function when wandering through vineyards and the historic halls of St Helena’s CIA, or have you found some middle ground? And can you find this perfect shoe at PJ Sport?
I believe footwear is one of the most important elements of an outfit, as your feet do take you from A to B. One does not have to compromise fashion or function when it comes to what shoes you choose. I would say the perfect balance of this dynamic would be a bootie from Tory Burch or a boot from Frye. Booties offer subtle detail combined with a short heel. The ankle boot from Frye shows off the shape of the shoe, which we think makes for a sturdy yet perfect feminine style. Both styles are our fall favorites!

3. If we could only pack five items for a trip to Flavor! Napa Valley, what would these five absolute necessities be?

• The softest neutral colored scarf – long enough to be knotted around your neck in the day and wide enough to be over your shoulders in the evening (I love Chan Luu cashmere/silk blend scarves).

• A solid long sweater – can be worn more the once with different accessories and is perfect over a straight or skinny jean or legging.

• A big tote or hobo bag – with all the sites you’ll see, you’re bound to pick up a few goodies along the way. Also, great for travel.

• A simple, chic belt – this is a great piece to build your outfit around. Tuck a blouse in and add the belt for a tailored look or add belt over a longer top or tunic to create a “waist”.

• The perfect cardigan – lightweight enough for layering and to go under a coat. The perfect cardigan becomes an all-around classic piece and is ideal over a blouse and a simple necklace.

4. Any tips for staying warm in the area this November? Any favorite coats for the ladies or gentlemen, and/or luxe socks or leggings or longsleeved tops?

Staying warm and fashionable in the Napa Valley is absolutely doable.

• Layer, layer, layer – since the temperature varies throughout the day, layering is often your best bet for staying comfortable.
• Shoes with height – if it’s raining, there will be puddles. Invest in a sturdy pair of rain boots or a boot with a heel to avoid getting your favorite pants wet and be sure to wear warm socks; it makes all the difference.

For this time of year, we’re loving:

• Leggings from Vince – thick enough to dress up or down and just the right amount of stretch.
• Long sleeve shirts from Wilt – cotton blend shirts with uneven hems; the t-shirt is no longer, just a t-shirt. Wear alone or under your favorite faux fur vest.

Blazers from Ben Sherman – the right blazer can turn any guy’s outfit into an instantly pulled together look. Updated versions of the classic blazer can be seen in all over velvet in navy or burgundy or with satin trim details.

You heard the woman, get packing!