McEvoy Ranch Mini Tapenade Trio | 3 Artisan Spreads Gift
Tapenade is one of the oldest condiments in the Mediterranean kitchen — a Provençal spread built around olives, capers, and good olive oil that has been made in essentially the same form since ancient Rome. McEvoy Ranch takes that foundation and applies a California sensibility to it: the same quality principles, the same estate-produced extra virgin olive oil as the binding ingredient, but with an expanded idea of what a tapenade can include and accomplish. The result is three spreads that share a Provençal DNA but each express a different flavor logic — one classic, one sweet-savory, one a genuine California departure from tradition entirely.
The Mini Tapenade Trio packages all three in ~2 oz tasting jars in a recyclable gift box, ready to give or to explore before committing to the full 7 oz jars. All three are made with McEvoy Ranch estate-produced Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — the same EVOO that has won more awards than any other California olive oil — as their foundation. A warm baguette, a wedge of good cheese, and this trio is the entirety of what you need for an effortless and genuinely impressive appetizer.
What's Inside
Green Olive Tapenade (~2 oz)
The most classically anchored of the three — finely chopped green olives, aromatic herbs, and McEvoy Ranch EVOO, made in the tradition of the original Provençal spread. What makes this version distinctly Californian is its character: McEvoy Ranch describes it as milder and more approachable than a traditional sharp, intensely briny olive tapenade, with the estate EVOO's peppery, early-harvest character providing depth without the aggressive saltiness that less careful versions often have. The herbs are present as aromatics rather than as a dominant note, keeping the olive flavor forward and letting the quality of the oil come through. This is the tapenade that converts people who think they don't like tapenade.
Flavor: Clean, olive-forward, herbaceous, mild brine with a peppery EVOO finish
Best on: Crostini, baguette, crackers, alongside cheese boards, spread on sandwiches with good ham or turkey
Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade (~2 oz)
The bridge between the classical and the inventive. Briny, savory olives are balanced against the complex sweetness that roasting brings out of red peppers — a sweetness that is deeper and more caramelized than raw pepper, with a subtle smokiness that interacts beautifully with the olive brine. Garlic and spices add a third layer that keeps the spread interesting through the finish. This is arguably the most versatile of the three — it works as a crostini spread, a quick pasta sauce (tossed with hot pasta, topped with Parmesan and a drizzle of garlic EVOO), a topping for roasted eggplant, a sauce for grilled fish or chicken, or stirred into warm boiled potatoes for an instant side dish.
Flavor: Sweet-savory, smoky roasted pepper, briny olive, warm garlic and spice
Best on: Sourdough crostini, pasta, roasted vegetables, grilled fish and chicken, arancini, shakshuka base
Artichoke & Almond Tapenade (~2 oz)
A genuine California reimagining of the tapenade format — not a variation on a classical recipe but something that uses the spread's logic (olive oil, bold ingredients, fine chop) to arrive somewhere entirely different. Fresh artichokes and early-harvest olives form the base; lemon and tangy capers provide acidity; finely chopped almonds add texture and a subtle nuttiness; sharp Parmesan binds the savory depth; and McEvoy Ranch's peppery estate EVOO runs through the entire thing as the unifying element. The result is a spread that is lighter and more complex than a classic olive tapenade — simultaneously brighter (from the lemon and capers), richer (from the Parmesan and almonds), and more vegetable-forward. McEvoy Ranch describes it as pure California.
Flavor: Bright, nutty, savory-umami. Lemon and caper acidity, Parmesan depth, almond texture, artichoke freshness.
Best on: Crostini with goat cheese, stuffed mushrooms, turkey or chicken sandwiches, mixed with pasta, topping for quiche and roasted chicken, alongside celery and Belgian endive
The EVOO Thread
Every jar in this trio is made with McEvoy Ranch estate-produced Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — the same oil Georgetown Olive Oil Co. carries as a premium standalone product. In a tapenade, the olive oil is not a neutral carrier: it is a flavor ingredient, and its quality determines the spread's finish and depth. Early-harvest McEvoy Ranch EVOO is high in polyphenols, distinctly peppery, and grassy — qualities that cut through the richness of the almonds and Parmesan in the Artichoke tapenade, balance the sweetness of the roasted peppers in the Olive & Red Pepper, and elevate the brine of the classic Green Olive. Using the same estate oil across all three gives the trio a coherent quality signature.
About the Gift Pack
Packaged in a beautiful, recyclable gift box. Arrives ready to give — no additional wrapping needed. The ~2 oz format makes this ideal as a hostess gift, an entertaining starter, an add-on to a larger olive oil gift, or a sampler before committing to the full-size 7 oz jars (also available separately at Georgetown Olive Oil Co.). Pair with a warm baguette and a bottle of good white wine or rosé for a complete and effortless aperitif gift.
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Return Policy: 7 day return policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What three tapenades are included in this gift pack?
The Mini Tapenade Trio includes three ~2 oz jars: Green Olive Tapenade (finely chopped olives, aromatic herbs, McEvoy Ranch EVOO — a mild, classically-inspired Californian version of the Provençal original), Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade (briny olives balanced with the caramelized sweetness of roasted red peppers, garlic, and spices), and Artichoke & Almond Tapenade (fresh artichokes, lemon, capers, Parmesan, finely chopped almonds, early-harvest olives, and estate EVOO — a distinctly California departure from classical tapenade). All three are made with McEvoy Ranch estate-produced Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
What is tapenade and how do you eat it?
Tapenade is a Provençal spread originating in southern France, traditionally made from finely chopped or puréed olives, capers, anchovies, and olive oil. The name comes from the Provençal word for capers. It is used as a spread on bread and crackers, a dip for vegetables, a condiment alongside cheese and charcuterie, a sauce for pasta, and a topping or finishing element for grilled meats and fish. McEvoy Ranch's versions are built on this framework but take a decidedly California approach — using estate EVOO as the base and expanding the ingredient repertoire beyond the classical formula.
What makes the Artichoke & Almond Tapenade different from a traditional olive tapenade?
It is a genuine reimagining rather than a variation. Classical tapenade centers on olives, capers, and anchovies. The Artichoke & Almond Tapenade uses fresh artichokes and early-harvest olives as the base, with lemon and capers providing acidity, finely chopped almonds adding texture and nuttiness, and sharp Parmesan contributing savory depth — all bound by McEvoy Ranch's peppery estate EVOO. The result is lighter, brighter, and more complex than a straight olive tapenade, with a vegetable-forward character and a richness that comes from the almonds and Parmesan rather than from olive brine. McEvoy Ranch calls it pure California.
Which tapenade is most versatile for cooking?
The Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade has the broadest cooking range. It works as a quick pasta sauce — toss with hot pasta, top with Parmesan and a drizzle of garlic olive oil — as a topping for roasted eggplant, a sauce for grilled fish or chicken, a spread stirred into boiled potatoes, or an arancini filling mixed with leftover risotto and Parmesan. The sweet-savory balance of roasted peppers and briny olives makes it compatible with a wider range of dishes than either of the other two. The Artichoke & Almond is the best for stuffed mushrooms, quiche toppings, and elegant appetizers. The Green Olive is the most approachable all-purpose spread.
What cheeses pair best with these tapenades?
Each tapenade has natural cheese affinities. The Green Olive Tapenade is excellent alongside fresh chèvre, mild ricotta, or a well-aged Manchego — the mild brine and herbaceous quality complement clean dairy flavors without competing. The Olive & Roasted Red Pepper pairs well with feta (especially mixed directly with the tapenade and basil olive oil as a spread), aged cheddar, or Comté, where the sweet-savory contrast elevates both. The Artichoke & Almond is particularly outstanding with fresh goat cheese — McEvoy Ranch specifically recommends combining the two for stuffed mushrooms or cracker toppings — and also works beautifully with a triple-crème brie.
How do I use these tapenades for entertaining?
The simplest approach: set all three mini jars on a board alongside a sliced warm baguette or crostini, a wedge of good cheese (goat cheese alongside the Artichoke, feta or aged cheddar alongside the Roasted Red Pepper, chèvre or Manchego alongside the Green Olive), a handful of cornichons, and whatever charcuterie you have. The trio covers the full flavor range of a serious aperitif spread — mild and olive-forward, sweet-savory and roasted, and bright and complex — with no additional preparation. For a more composed appetizer, top crostini with a smear of goat cheese and a spoonful of Artichoke & Almond Tapenade, a drizzle of Georgetown Olive Oil Co. EVOO, and a few capers.
Why does McEvoy Ranch use their estate EVOO in the tapenades?
In a tapenade, olive oil is not a neutral carrier — it is a flavor ingredient. The quality and character of the oil determines the spread's finish, its depth, and how its components integrate. McEvoy Ranch's estate-produced Organic EVOO is an early-harvest oil: high in polyphenols, distinctly peppery, and grassy. These qualities serve a specific purpose in each tapenade — cutting through the richness of almonds and Parmesan in the Artichoke, balancing the sweetness of roasted peppers in the Olive & Red Pepper, and elevating the brine of the Green Olive rather than simply lubricating it. Using the same quality estate oil across all three gives the trio a coherent, high-quality flavor signature.
How do I use tapenade in cooking beyond spreading on bread?
All three tapenades double as cooking ingredients. A spoonful of Olive & Roasted Red Pepper stirred into hot pasta with Parmesan and a drizzle of garlic olive oil is a complete sauce in under a minute. Use it as a quick marinade base for chicken or fish — mix with olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs. The Artichoke & Almond mixed with goat cheese makes an excellent stuffing for mushroom caps or a topping for quiche and baked eggs. Spread a thin layer of Green Olive Tapenade under the skin of a chicken before roasting, or use as a flavoring stirred into aioli or compound butter. Any of the three can be thinned with Georgetown EVOO and lemon juice to make a quick dressing for grain salads.
Is there a full-size version of this tapenade gift pack?
Yes. The full-size Tapenade Gift Pack contains the same three tapenades in ~7 oz jars and is also available at Georgetown Olive Oil Co. The mini trio is the natural choice as a sampler, hostess gift, or add-on to an olive oil gift. The full-size is better for a dedicated home entertainer, an avid cook, or as a more substantial standalone gift — particularly effective paired with a warm baguette and a bottle of good wine.
