Gustare Oils & Vinegars

What Gustare Oils & Vinegars does

Gustare Oils & Vinegars (DBA Gustare Gourmet) is a specialty food retailer founded in 2009 by Catherine and Dave Ferraresi in Chatham, Massachusetts. The company curates and sells premium extra virgin olive oils sourced from Italy, Spain, South Africa, and other olive-producing regions, alongside traditional balsamic vinegars aged in Modena (including 12-year and 18-year varieties) and an extended gourmet pantry (coffee, tea, chocolate, honey, mustards, olives, pasta, salts, soup and baking mixes, and cookbooks). Quality differentiation rests on chemistry-tested freshness standards — DAGs and PPP levels displayed on each product card and exceeding IOOC requirements — plus Modena-origin certification and natural, GMO-free infusion processes.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer model: a flagship retail storefront at 400 Main Street in Chatham with in-store tasting samples and Saturday sampling events; a Shopify-based e-commerce site shipping to the continental US with free shipping above $75; and a wholesale partner network of approximately 15 Cape Cod merchants and restaurants. Revenue streams include unit retail, gift boxes and curated pairings ($48.95-$92), and private tasting events ($15/person with a 10-person minimum) held after shop hours. The customer base spans food enthusiasts, gift buyers, group event organizers, and local Cape Cod chefs and restaurants, with no enterprise anchor accounts.

The company is privately held by the founders, with no institutional investment, no funding rounds, and no recent M&A activity. Catherine Ferraresi, trained at Chef Giuliano Hazan's school in Verona, leads culinary initiatives including the Test Kitchen recipe program; Dave Ferraresi, a former 3M/Imation Corp. executive, oversees business operations. The business was recognized in 2025 with Cape Cod SCORE's 'Build a Better Mousetrap' award for longevity and innovation.

Name

Gustare Oils & Vinegars

Legal name

Gustare Gourmet

Website

https://gustareoliveoil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gustare Oils & Vinegars is a Cape Cod-based specialty retailer founded in 2009 that curates and sells premium extra virgin olive oils and Modena-aged balsamic vinegars, supplemented by a gourmet pantry, gift boxes, and private tasting events, serving home cooks, gift buyers, and local chefs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Food Retail

NAICS

Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529), All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298), Specialty Food Retailers (4452), Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225), Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Olive Oil, Vinegar & Condiment Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virgin & Cold-Pressed Culinary Oils (AFAJALAB), Olive Oil Production & Bottling (AFAKAEAC), Specialty Condiments, Sauces & Pickles Wholesale (AFAIAIAJ), Mediterranean/Greek/Italian/Spanish Grocery Stores (CRAHAFAJ)

Keywords

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Gourmet pantry items
• Specialty food retail
• Culinary gift boxes

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Direct sales of extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet pantry items including coffee, tea, chocolate, honey, jam, syrup, mustard, sauces, spreads, olives, tapenades, pasta, risotto, paella, salts, seasonings, soups, baking mixes, and books/accessories through retail storefront and e-commerce
2. Gift Box Sales: Pre-packaged and customizable gift sets including Taste of Italy Sampler ($48.95), Tour of Italy ($82), The Classic Italian ($71), Cape Cod Gift Box ($92), Pier to Plate seafood gift ($90), and various pairing samplers
3. Private Tasting Events: Group tasting events after shop hours at $15 per person with 10-person minimum, featuring aged balsamic vinegars from Modena and premium EVOO from around the world along with savory and sweet tastings

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gustare Oils & Vinegars is a specialty food retailer that curates and sells premium extra virgin olive oils sourced from Italy, Spain, South Africa and other olive-producing regions, plus traditional aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy, and a broader gourmet pantry assortment (mustards, jams, salts, pastas, coffees, chocolates, books, accessories). Founded in 2009, the company operates a flagship retail storefront in Chatham, MA and an e-commerce website, with additional wholesale distribution to local Cape Cod merchants, restaurants and inns.

Product overview

Gustare Oils & Vinegars is a specialty food retailer offering a curated portfolio of premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, complemented by an extensive gourmet pantry. The core offerings consist of Extra Virgin Olive Oils (including varietal single-origins like Picual and Coratina, infused oils, and Pressato crush oils), and Balsamic Vinegars (dark and white condimento vinegars aged in Modena, Italy, plus whole fruit and wine vinegars). These anchor products are supplemented by the Gourmet Pantry collection featuring books & accessories, coffee/tea/chocolate, honey/jam/syrup, mustard/sauces/spreads, olives/tapenades, pasta/risotto/paella, salts/seasonings/dips, and soup/baking mixes. The company also offers gift products including pre-curated gift boxes and popular pairing sets. Services include a Test Kitchen for recipe development and private tasting events for groups. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Chatham, MA, the company operates a flagship retail location and online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil Premium varietal extra virgin olive oils ranging from mild to robust intensity, sourced from Italy, Spain, South Africa and other olive-producing countries, with single-origin varietals such as Picual and Coratina. Each oil is bottled fresh with chemistry displayed on its product card.
• Infused Olive Oil Naturally infused olive oils combining a super-premium extra virgin olive oil base with high quality natural GMO-free extracts of fruits, spices and herbs.
• Pressato Crushed Olive Oil Crushed (Pressato) olive oils offered in citrus and herb varieties, including Italian Lemon and other flavored versions, made by crushing olives together with complementary ingredients.
• Specialty Oils Non-olive specialty oils such as almond oil and other unique oil varieties offered alongside the olive oil range.
• Dark Balsamic Vinegar Premium dark balsamic condimentos crafted in Modena, Italy, made with a high percentage of Italian Lambrusco, Sangiovese and Trebbiano grapes, slowly cooked and barrel-aged, including 18-year and 12-year aged varieties.
• White Balsamic Vinegar Crisp, tart white balsamic vinegars with a touch of sweetness and 5% acidity, aged in stainless steel vats; offered in 10 varieties.
• Whole Fruit Vinegar Vinegars made with whole fruit, offering concentrated fruit flavors such as Cape Cod Cranberry-Pear.
• Specialty Wine Vinegar Wine vinegars including Champagne Wine Vinegar and Sherry Reserva, positioned alongside the balsamic range.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73 percent of top five imported extra virgin olive oil brands failed to meet accepted international standards for extra virgin (UC Davis Olive Center study)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cape Abilities FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner at 458 Main Street, Dennis, MA showcasing fresh local produce alongside premium olive oils and vinegars, demonstrating commitment to Cape Cod sustainable agriculture
• Truro Vineyards of Cape CodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal culinary destination at 11 Shore Rd Route 6A North, Truro, MA partnering to enhance Cape Cod artisanal food and beverage offerings
• Windfall MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialty food products and gourmet seasonings offered at 77 Scranton Avenue, Falmouth, MA
• Family Table CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Community Kitchen at Maker's Retail Market in South Yarmouth, partnering to support Cape Cod nutritional education and food security; Gustare supports improving nutritional education on Cape Cod
• Adorn Cape CodminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpeciality kitchen and gourmet items offered at 211 Main Street, Orleans, Cape Cod
• Cape Cod Lavender FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtisanal products from Harwich, MA complementing Gustare premium olive oils and vinegars
• The Chatham Cheese CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtisanal cheeses and fine wines at 902 Main Street (Rt 28), partnering to provide premium gourmet products in Cape Cod
• Chatham Bars Inn FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic Cape Cod luxury destination featuring Gustare premium olive oils in their culinary offerings at Brewster, MA location
• Nauset FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGourmet market at 119 Main St., Orleans, MA showcasing Gustare premium olive oils and vinegars alongside local Cape Cod specialty products
• Old Yarmouth InncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric inn (1696) at 223 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port, committed to incorporating premium olive oils in fine dining cuisine; among Cape Cod chefs supplied with freshest and most flavorful EVOO and balsamic vinegars
• Corner Store OrleansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeloved merchant at 54 Main St. and 1403 Old Queen Anne Road, Chatham featuring Gustare artisanal olive oils and vinegars in gourmet selections
• Just Picked GiftsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCurated gift collections featuring Gustare premium olive oils and vinegars at 13 Willow St., Yarmouth Port
• Snug Harbor WineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFine wine and gourmet olive oil pairings offered at 1 Washington St., Duxbury, MA
• Terra Luna (Truro)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant in Truro featuring Gustare products on menu; among Cape Cod chefs committed to supplying freshest and most flavorful EVOO and balsamic vinegars
• Center for Coastal StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor supporting work of advancing scientific understanding of Cape marine and coastal ecosystems, addressing community needs and responding to changing world
• Lighthouse Keepers PantryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchant partner at 173 Main Street, Yarmouth, MA offering Gustare products
• Love, Live, LocalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner at 539 South Street, Hyannis, MA
• Snowy Owl Coffee RoastersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee roaster partner at 2624 Main Street, Brewster, MA
• The BarrelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchant partner at 613 Main Street, Hingham, MA
• Bartlett's FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchant partner at 2199 Main Street, West Barnstable, MA
• La Adoro Italian MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian market at 132 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA offering Gustare products
• Three Fins Coffee RoastersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee roaster partner at 581 Main Street, West Dennis, MA

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Laconiko: Premium Greek extra virgin olive oil producer with growing U.S. DTC and wholesale presence. Comparable as a single-origin, quality-tested EVOO brand competing in the premium tier.
• Brightland: DTC premium olive oil brand with modern branding shipping nationally. Competes for the same affluent consumer with a digitally native approach rather than a brick-and-mortar tasting concept.

Broad incumbents

• Sur La Table: National specialty retailer of kitchenware and gourmet foods including premium oils and vinegars. Broader incumbent with overlapping assortment and a national footprint that anchors the premium cooking category.

Direct peers

• Rocky Mountain Olive Oil: Multi-location U.S. specialty retailer offering premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars with tasting bars. Directly comparable curated EVOO and balsamic retail concept with franchised expansion.
• Queen Creek Olive Mill: Arizona-based olive oil producer and specialty retailer operating a flagship tasting room and gift store. Comparable as a vertically integrated EVOO specialist combining production, retail, and experiential components.
• The Olive Tap: Multi-location U.S. specialty retailer selling premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars with in-store tasting bars. Operates a franchise/company-store model directly comparable to Gustare's curated tasting and retail concept.
• Olivelle: Specialty retailer offering flavored olive oils, vinegars, and gourmet pantry items with tasting-driven stores. Comparable product mix and specialty-store positioning.
• Oil & Vinegar: International specialty retail chain selling premium olive oils, vinegars, and gourmet pantry items with in-store tasting experiences. Closest direct comparable in terms of gift-box positioning, product mix, and tasting-driven retail format.
• Sciabica's California Olive Oil: California-based olive oil producer with retail and wholesale channels, including varietal EVOO and flavored oils. Comparable as a producer-retailer focused on freshness and provenance in the premium olive oil category.

Regional players

• Chatham Cheese Company: Cape Cod specialty food retailer offering artisanal cheeses, wines, and gourmet pantry items including Gustare products. Adjacent regional peer in the Cape Cod specialty food retail ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gustareoliveoil
• Instagraminstagram.com/gustarecapecod
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gustareoliveoil
• Xx.com/GustareOliveOil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gustare Oils & Vinegars