Always an avid cook and connoisseur of flavorful dining, Rhonda Caldwell and her husband, Ronnie, scheduled hour-long road trips to purchase exceptional olive oils and vinegars for their family. Around the holidays, those delicious ingredients also made ideal presentations for friends and neighbors!
A little more than one year ago, the two realized opening a gourmet shop similar to the businesses they frequented – but nearer to their home in Denver, NC – made a lot more sense!
“I did my research and opened Lake Norman Olive & Vine here five months later,” shares Rhonda.
A Lake Norman resident for the past 25 years, she knew the opportunity to purchase award winning olive oils and specialty vinegars would be well received by customers in the area! The Denver store proudly offers a handpicked selection of 70 varieties of the most delicious, ultra premium oils and vinegars, including rare, single origin oils and expertly infused blends.
“Most people know the benefits of cooking with olive oil to support heart health, lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, but these products also contain antioxidants like vitamin E, with anti inflammatory benefits. It’s even a boost for your hair, skin and digestion,” Rhonda shares.
As for her personal favorite vinegar blends, it’s a delicious but always difficult choice!
“I have so many favorites, but two that I absolutely love!” Rhonda shares. “Portuguese Lemon Olive Oil paired with Dark Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar, and Persian Lime Olive Oil paired with Honey-Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar.”
Make an evening out of tasting their gourmet lineup, and schedule your own private interactive tasting party for groups of 12 or more, led by the shop’s knowledgeable staff.
“We serve our oil and vinegar pairings with everything from bread to pasta and a variety of appetizers, even balsamic vinegar on ice cream! We can even serve you a glass of wine, if you wish,” she adds.
The shop also offers an assortment of other gourmet goodies including stuffed olives with garlic, orange, green and red chili peppers, Soberdough Brew Bread (just add a beer), regular and gluten free pizza dough, Litys three ingredient potato chips (potatoes, sea salt and olive oil), Offbeat nut butters from Clean Simple Eats, olive oil cake mixes, handcrafted teas, cookbooks, Love Square One clean burning candles, plus many other unique items that make perfect gifts for fellow foodies.
Besides their impressive selection and variety of the finest oils and vinegars, what sets Lake Norman Olive & Vine apart and is already building a loyal client base in the Denver area?
“We focus on education and high quality, ultra premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars,” Rhonda explains. “Plus, we give customers the tools to elevate their home cooking, along with the hands-on experience of tasting all our olive oils and balsamic vinegars while they shop.”
In store or online, shopping with Lake Norman Olive & Vine is a refined experience for those who are passionate about quality and taste!
Lake Norman Olive & Vine is located at 6608 Campground Road in Denver, NC, 704.880.6115. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Visit lknoliveandvine.com for more information and to shop online for olive oils, vinegars, gift baskets and specialty items!
