Our Story

Cattle and calves are the genesis of our story. A joined family of city girls believing wholeheartedly a small cow-calf operation would be an easy task - despite not having any ranching experience whatsoever. For the most part, we learned. We learned a cow-calf operation was not for us and quickly decided to turn our sights on a crop instead of livestock. Enter olives, a new and emerging specialty crop for Texas. We saw it then as we see it now, a parallel course with Texas wine grapes and the Mediterranean trifecta of fruit: figs, grapes, olives. Yum!

From 2007 until February of 2021 Lone Star Olive Ranch was not only successful, it became a business enterprise recognized and respected among peers and consumers in Texas and across the United States for its products, services, expertise, values, and integrity.

A new chapter flush with fresh beginnings emerged after February 2021 with Winter Storm Uri. Gone are our once majestic 14,000 olive trees (save and except 10 rows of our original and oldest rootstock). We have been hard at work reworking the fields, and improving layouts, irrigation, berms, and drainage. And, of course, planting new olive saplings. We will also diversify with some new fruit crops in 2024 - more figs, additional olive trees, and an expansion of our grape vines.

It will take time for our trees to grow and fruit. Until then, all of our oils will come from groves we manage or Christine (as a master miller) directly processes for in California.

As always, stay tuned, stay connected, and know that the canvas of our lives has changed, and our commitment, passion, and core values remain in this new chapter!

Be well,

Chef Cathy & Christine