In the mid 1990s, B. R. Cohn Winery was at the forefront of the California olive oil renaissance. It was a heady time for California’s olive growers and olive oil produces and for those of us who loved olive oil. For several years, the winery hosted a festival on Olive Hill, where about 8 acres–if memory serves–of Picholine olive trees, planted in the 1800s, provided and still provide the olives for the winery’s estate oil. Now, the festival is being revived. The Sonoma Extra Virgin Festival takes place on November 5 and 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, and includes live music, food trucks, a blessing of the olives, olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more.

I’m so happy to be part of it. I’ll be there with The Good Cook’s Book of Olive Oil, Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings, and The Good Cook’s Journal, which has a section on olive oil. I’ll also offer a couple of tastes from the books, though I haven’t decided exactly what quite yet. Put it on your calendar and then come join the fun, rain or shine. To snag tickets, just follow the links on the festival’s web site. Admission is $15.