History

Global Gardens was founded in 1998 by Theodora Stephan (Theo!) as a California Food Company Inspiring Worldly Flavors. Theo was the first to plant olives for extra virgin olive oil in Santa Barbara county in 1996 and 1998 celebrated the company's first actual harvest. Time flies when we're having fun! This photo was taken in 2003 when we opened our first actual retail tasting counter at Buttonwood Farm Winery.

 

Truly a "global" family business, Theo's two Nepalese daughters, Anita and Sunita were integral to success, putting stickers on bottles while watching cartoons on Saturday mornings. In 2006, our first actual stand-alone bricks 'n mortar was opened in Los Olivos, CA. When rents skyrocketed and the town became a major draw for wine tasting rooms it was time to reinvent. The family property in Los Olivos was zoned as a legitimate location for a Farm Stand but it was not landscaped nor ready for customers. So Theo rented a "temporary" café space in Los Alamos, creating the Caliterranean Café, focusing on made-to-order, delicious, organic plates of in-season recipes using 100% local farmers, fishermen and meats. Most popular with European tourists and great for the now-teenage daughters to work after school with their friends, a fun, flavorful year was had by all while a major renovation happened on the Los Olivos property.

 

In 2014 the Global Gardens Farm Stand opened to great success and a retail tasting renaissance in the Santa Ynez Valley. Eight years at the small farm property proved Global Gardens as the most awarded Extra Virgin Olive Oil in southern California with a product line of over 40 food products including hand-crafted Vinegars, Spice Blends, Organic Snacks, Mustards, and sauces, all formulated with family recipes. A local aesthetician makes Global Gardens signature Health & Beauty products that can hardly be kept in stock. A full, customized gift line is in place. 

 

Fast forward to current times when the business ran out of parking and production space, deciding to leave Los Olivos, opening a Tasting and Provisions Store recently in Santa Ynez, CA. Stay tuned for big 25th Anniversary announcements and celebrations, new Club and food product offerings in 2023.

 

Email: theo@globalgardensonline.com for additional info and public appearances, tastings for your business, off-site cooking classes and presentations on flavorful wellness eating. One more thing, Theo is one of fewer than 300 Olive Oil Sommeliers in the world!