Soffritto Expands Premium Olive Oil Selection at New Calgary Location
Calgary's culinary scene welcomes a new destination for gourmet enthusiasts as Soffritto Oil & Vinegar Bar opens its doors in Willow Park Village. This expansion brings the retailer's commitment to high-quality, freshly imported extra virgin olive oils and artisanal products to a broader audience.
Premium Products and Extensive Variety
The new location features more than 60 rotating varieties of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars available on tap. Beyond these liquid treasures, shoppers can explore a curated selection of artisanal pastas, sauces, spices, fresh sandwiches, and gourmet gifts. This expansion represents a significant growth for owner Gord Fontaine, who first entered the food retail sector sixteen years ago.
Fontaine's journey into the world of premium olive oils began with extensive research and education. He completed a mandatory course with Veronica Foods, a family-owned producer of high-grade olive oils since 1924, where he spent time with Tom Mueller, author of "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil." This education proved crucial in navigating an industry historically plagued by misinformation and deception.
The Pursuit of Ultra Premium Quality
Fontaine's dedication to quality led him to source what he describes as "liquid gold" - ultra premium extra virgin olive oils that meet the world's strictest standards. These oils come from olives that must be harvested and crushed within three to six hours to preserve their chemical integrity before being shipped in specialized Sufti vessels from California.
The store typically carries six to ten ultra premium varieties that arrive twice annually. Recent shipments from Portugal sold out quickly, demonstrating Calgary's growing appreciation for these exceptional products. Fontaine notes that once oils are infused with flavors like fruits, basil, ginger, or garlic, they can no longer be classified as ultra premium, though he continues to offer many high-quality flavored varieties.
Complementary Balsamic Vinegars and Business Evolution
Alongside the olive oils, Soffritto offers carefully researched balsamic vinegars. The selection includes traditional varieties aged for eighteen years, creating rich, syrupy, complex flavors, as well as types accelerated with red wine additions. Fontaine approaches balsamic vinegar with the same rigorous standards applied to his olive oil selection.
The new Willow Park location represents a significant evolution from Fontaine's original 849-square-foot outlet on Canyon Meadows Drive S.W. After working as a national sales manager that required extensive travel, Fontaine transitioned to entrepreneurship, applying his coaching experience to build a business around his growing passion for quality food products.
This expansion not only brings more premium products to Calgary consumers but also continues Fontaine's mission to educate customers about the authenticity and quality of olive oil in a market where such transparency remains essential.
