3 Things We Can't Live Without: Wine, Olive Oil, and Pizza!

The ancient Romans claimed there were two necessary ingredients for civilization - wine and olive oil.  We at Bella Grace Vineyards couldn’t agree more!  Aside from crafting over 30 award-winning wines, we also bottle seven unique extra virgin olive oils - six of which are fused with flavor at the press.

At the tasting room, we’re often asked how we use the different flavored oils. Michael, Sue, Dewey, and the rest the Bella Grace team are always coming up with new olive oil recipes for our guests to taste and try. We’ve created salad dressings, marinades, and even cakes over the years, but one of the most popular uses for our olive oils comes from former BGV staffer Ralph Brown, now the owner and operator of RC Pizza Wagon.

Before he was crafting delicious pizzas in his wood-fired oven for the adoring masses at wineries, breweries, and festivals throughout Northern California, Ralph was a jack of all trades at Bella Grace. He staffed the tasting room, the cellar, and the vineyard for over four years. During that time he became incredibly familiar with our olive oils. When Ralph and his wife Christy established the RC Pizza Wagon in 2016, he brought a part of Bella Grace along too. In fact, it’s a part of every pizza!

“We primarily use the Bella Grace Garlic olive oil on all of our pizzas,” Brown explains. “When finishing, we give the crusts a light brushing for an extra kick of flavor.”

While it’s hard to pick a favorite pizza on the RC Pizza Wagon’s creative menu, the “Amador Queen” margherita-style pizza is a crowd favorite. While not a proven fact, we at Bella Grace like to assume it’s because the pizza is also topped with drizzle of Bella Grace basil extra virgin olive oil!

“I love the fact that the oils are not mass produced, but are sourced locally,” said Brown. “You can taste the freshness in the oils and that is something we look for when sourcing ingredients for our pizzas - freshness, local and incredible!”

RC Pizza Wagon will be at the Bella Grace Vineyard & Wine Cave May 7th for the Sunshine & White Wine party. Be sure to ask Ralph or Christy for pairing recommendations! Can’t make the party? RC Pizza Wagon will also be at the vineyard and wine cave select Saturdays through the Summer months also at the Bella Grace Sutter Creek Tasting Room Friday, July 18 for our Summer Concert Series. Please check our event calendar for more details

Let us know how you use your Bella Grace extra virgin olive oils!  We would love to add your reciepe to our blog or feature it in our Olive Branch Club.

Happy tasting!

Ralph manning his RC Pizza Wagon at the Bella Grace Vineyards & Wine Cave. Don't miss your chance to try his amazing wood-fired pizza this Summer at Bella Grace!