My father arrived in the United States in 1920 from the Philippine Islands. During my youth my father worked in agriculture and I worked with him in and around the Brentwood area during the harvest seasons pruning and picking grapes, harvesting almonds and walnuts, cutting asparagus. We irrigated various crops, pruned trees and just about any other type of work that was available.

    As I grew up I continued to work in agriculture harvesting almonds, walnuts, apricots and even working in a nursery. It was then that I realized how hard that work was and, even though I stopped working in the fields, I knew that someday I would return to own my own farm.

    My wife Lill’s grandmother was from Ubeda, Spain, known world wide for olives and olive oil. Her grandfather was from Sesto, Italy, also widely known for olive oil. Lill’s grandparents farmed grapes and walnuts on Lone Tree Way in Brentwood as did her parents.

    We were both raised in Brentwood and graduated from Liberty High School in 1973. Since high school graduation I worked in the automotive industry. Lill worked for the local Bank of America and also in our own automotive repair businesses. We have both been active in local service clubs and feel a genuine commitment to our community.

    In 1998 we planted our first olive trees on our small ranch in Brentwood. We had more than a few individuals who thought we were crazy. At that time we relocated a large 50 year old olive tree planted by Lill’s grandfather from his ranch. We continue to harvest that tree for our olive oil.

    Also in 1998 we harvested trees owned by our friends, Jack and Donna Roddy on Deer Valley Road. Although we produced only a small amount of oil, we were fortunate to have earned Extra Virgin Certification from the California Olive Oil Council. In 1999 and 2000 we also harvested Roddy Ranch olives and continued to earn Certification from the California Olive Oil Council.

    Our certified olive oil has been poured at the California State Fair, the Carmel Tomato Festival, the largest in California, the International Fancy Food Show and, also featured on “All in Good Taste” on the Food Network.

    The first harvest from our trees in 2001 produced a fresh, fruity tasting oil. In 2001 and 2002 we also earned recognition from the California Olive Oil Council for Extra Virgin Certification. Of the many oils submitted, over 200 annually, Brentwood Olive Oil is one of only 20 to have earned this certification for 5 continuous years.