This week, I was at the Capay Valley Ranches about an hour outside of Sacramento, California, for International Food Bloggers Conference.

The best part of the very-long and very hot tour (c’mon Sacramento, are you trying to be Phoenix?), was a beautiful, fresh, and mostly naturally gluten-free lunch at Taber Ranch Vineyard & Events Center. This place is beautiful and a perfect setting for a wedding or outdoor event (just not when it’s 110 outside). Just checkout this lunch menu! The chicken, featuring the Sriracha Infused While Balsamic Vinegar, as awesome. Both Michelle and I had seconds! CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE SRIRACHA MANGO WHITE BALSALMIC from Capay Valley Ranches!

I loved being able to spend quality time with Michelle from My Gluten Free Kitchen, Anna from Anna Dishes, and Beau Raines!

They produce almonds at their ranch, along with three varieties of olives: Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki. They are certified extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately, you can’t try olives directly off of the tree, as apparently they need to be processed first. Things I didn’t know! I was hoping for a tree that just handed down fistfuls of black olives for me to munch on. We checked out the different varieties of olives on the branch, but I couldn’t really tell a difference. At the warehouse, we got to choose one free olive oil (Just one? C’mon, I could have easily gone through at least 2 in a month! I love olive oil!). I chose the garlic infused, because I LOVE garlic. CLICK HERE TO ORDER TO GARLIC INFUSED EVOO From Capay Valley Ranches!

But almonds, man, these are cool. I had no idea that they grew like this. I actually didn’t know how exactly they grew on trees. I guess I expected the hard shell to grow out of the branches, but they’re actually covered in a fruit-like soft pod. I had a chance to pick a few and samples almonds right off the trees.

The next time I use olive oil or make something with almond flour, I think I will definitely appreciate the hard work behind it all after this tour!

*DISCLOSURES: International Food Bloggers Conference requires posting about events during the conference.*

Tagged: Almonds, Capay valley ranch, IFBC, International Food Bloggers Conference, Olives