This Small Business Week, the Austin Chamber is thrilled to spotlight Texas Hill Country Olive Co., a family-run agri-tourism gem that has redefined what it means to grow and enjoy olives—Texas style.

It all started in 2008, around a Thanksgiving dinner table, when father-daughter duo John and Cara Gambini dreamed up a bold idea: to grow world-class olives right here in the Texas Hill Country. With guidance from Texas A&M research, they took a leap of faith and planted their first saplings just four months later in Dripping Springs, betting that Mediterranean olive varieties could thrive in the region’s rocky limestone soil.

They were right. By 2010, their inaugural harvest produced rich, flavorful olive oil that they proudly shared at farmers markets and festivals. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. A year later, they opened their signature stone-clad tasting room off Fitzhugh Road, and media attention soon followed, with glowing features in the Wall Street Journal and Southern Living.

Today, Texas Hill Country Olive Co. is not only a working olive orchard but also one of Central Texas’s most beloved destinations for food lovers and travelers. Guests enjoy curated tasting tours, lunch at the on-site bistro, and shelves lined with award-winning extra virgin olive oils and gourmet products. Their reach now extends far beyond the Hill Country, with a thriving e-commerce business, wholesale partnerships, and a corporate gifting program trusted by Fortune 500 companies and Austin startups alike.

“Our mission has always been about more than great olive oil,” says Cara. “It’s about creating experiences that connect people—through food, through family, and through the land.”

💡 Texas Hill Country Olive Co.'s Tips for Small Business Owners

1. Lead with genuine Texas hospitality.
Whether you’re running a tasting room or an online shop, a welcoming experience can turn a one-time buyer into a loyal brand advocate. Personal touches go a long way.

2. Use your growth to your advantage.
Every new revenue milestone is an opportunity to revisit vendor agreements. As you grow, so does your leverage—don’t hesitate to negotiate better terms that support your scaling efforts.

3. Diversify your revenue streams early.
Don’t rely on just one channel. E-commerce, wholesale, and custom gifting programs can buffer against market changes and open the door to entirely new customer bases.