🫒 Every Bottle Here Has A Story Behind It

Hello Walnut Creek!

This week's Small Business Highlight takes us to Verde Gourmet Co., one of downtown Walnut Creek's newest additions. More than just an olive oil shop, it's a place where food, culture, and craftsmanship come together, giving visitors a chance to explore flavors and stories from small producers around the world.

Tell us the story behind your business. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?

Verde Gourmet Co. opened six months ago in downtown Walnut Creek, founded by four partners who share a deep passion for food, agriculture, and olive oil culture.

Alaaddin comes from a restaurant and hospitality background and is the owner of Ananas Cafe. His family has been involved in agriculture for generations, and a recent olive museum in Türkiye was opened in honor of his great-great-grandfather’s legacy. Berke is also a one of the owners of Ananas Cafe and an agricultural engineer whose family has long been rooted in farming and citrus production in Türkiye. Jamil brings a background in operations and logistics, along with a passion for artisan sourdough baking. And I, Aysem, a mother of two boys and a children’s music creator, have always dreamed of creating an olive oil boutique that celebrates both quality and education.

Together, we created Verde Gourmet Co. to bring something different and meaningful to Walnut Creek, an olive oil library where every bottle tells a story of land, harvest, and craftsmanship.

Why Walnut Creek? What made you choose this area to plant roots?

Walnut Creek was a natural choice for us because it is already home. All four partners live in the area, and our children attend local public schools, so our connection to the community is deeply personal.

We were also drawn to the opportunity next door to Ananas Cafe, which had opened a year earlier. The bright, beautiful space offered incredible potential for collaboration and creating a shared destination centered around food, hospitality, and community. It felt like a rare opportunity we didn’t want to miss.

What’s something about your business that most people don’t know?

Most people don’t realize how intentionally curated our selection is. We work directly with small family farms and artisan producers, many of whom harvest and bottle their olive oil by hand in limited quantities.

Because of this, our collection is constantly evolving. A bottle you discover today may not be available again next season, making each visit a new experience.

We also source olive oils from over 15 countries, including Spain, Italy, California, Croatia, Türkiye, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, France, Argentina, and Peru. We like to think of Verde as an olive oil library, inviting customers to explore the world through taste.

What’s been your biggest challenge as a small business owner here?

One of our biggest challenges has been changing perceptions around olive oil. Many people see it as a simple kitchen staple, but we believe it is the heart of the kitchen and an essential part of health and daily life.

We spend time educating customers about quality, freshness, and what defines true extra-virgin olive oil. Because we work with small producers focused on excellence rather than mass production, pricing can also be higher than commercial brands. Helping people understand this difference between commodity oil and carefully crafted olive oil is an ongoing, but deeply rewarding part of our journey.

What’s been your most rewarding moment so far?

The most rewarding moments come from our customers. Seeing them return each month, excited to try something new, and watching them become regulars, and even friends, means everything to us.

They support us, bring their friends for tastings, and help share our story within the community. That sense of connection, trust, and shared discovery is what makes this journey truly meaningful.

What’s next for you? Anything exciting coming up that readers should know about?

We have several exciting things ahead at Verde Gourmet Co.

We are launching private dinner experiences focused on olive oil pairings, offering guests an immersive way to explore how extra virgin olive oil transforms food.

We are also planning future journeys to olive oil regions around the world, connecting with producers and discovering new flavors and traditions to bring back to Walnut Creek.

For the holiday season, we are creating beautifully curated gift packages designed to feel personal and meaningful. Each one brings together our favorite extra virgin olive oils and gourmet selections in a way that celebrates sharing, connection, and togetherness. Our hope is that these are the kinds of gifts people remember, not just during the holidays, but long after.

In-store, we are introducing fresh artisan sourdough bread, baked regularly by our partner Cemil, to complement our olive oil tastings.

Finally, we are launching a membership and delivery program, offering monthly or bi-monthly selections so customers can enjoy our olive oils at home with ease.

If someone is visiting for the first time, what should they try or experience?

We always recommend starting with a guided olive oil tasting. It allows guests to experience the incredible range of flavors, from delicate and fruity to bold and peppery.

We encourage visitors to explore different origins side by side, discovering how climate, soil, and tradition shape each oil. Every tasting is designed to be both educational and sensory, a journey through flavor, culture, and craftsmanship.

As Walnut Creek’s food scene continues to grow, businesses like Verde Gourmet Co. remind us that some of the most interesting discoveries are hiding in plain sight. Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a new favorite olive oil, or simply an excuse to learn something new, it’s worth stopping in and seeing what stories are currently on the shelves.

Follow them on IG: @verdegourmetco

Please send over any feedback as we always read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for being part of the Walnut Creek Digest community.

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our readers in Walnut Creek? Drop us a line here → [email protected]