Ten years ago Napa residents Nanette and Valentin Humer began producing Salute Sante´!, a line of grapeseed oil produced in Italy, brought to the Napa Valley, and infused here with an array of delectable flavors.
Grapeseed oil is produced from pomace, which is made up of the seeds, stems and skins left over after the juice has been pressed from grapes in the winemaking process.
According to Valentin, grapeseed oil is poised to be the next great cooking oil. “Grapeseed oil is where olive oil was twenty-five years ago,” he said. But unlike olive oil, grapeseed oil boasts some health benefits that are sure to get the attention of an ever-more health-conscious cooking public. In fact, the name Salute Sante’! means “To your health,” in Italian and French.
Health benefits aside, grapeseed oil offers much to professional and amateur chefs alike. It tastes light and slightly nutty and doesn’t leave a greasy aftertaste on the palate as many oils do. Instead, grapeseed oil enhances the natural flavors of the food with which it is paired. This makes it an excellent salad oil or bread dip. Grapeseed oil doesn’t solidify or become cloudy when chilled, so it can be served straight from the refrigerator. Also, it has a higher smoke point than most oils – it can be heated to 485-degrees. with no smoking, spattering or burnt taste when frying or sautéing so food can becooked very hot and very quickly, sealing in the juices.
Valentin and Nanette Humer began their quest to educate the public and re-popularize this ancient oil in 1990. At the time, Valentin, originally from Austria, was working in the hotel and restaurant business in London.
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He came to America on vacation and met Nanette, who grew up in Brooklyn and worked as a retail visual designer in New York City.
The two of them learned about grapeseed oil from some prominent chefs in New York, who swore by it even though it was difficult to get at the time. “I was reading stories on this ‘new miracle oil,’” said Valentin. “It wasn’t available and that made it more intriguing.” They ultimately decided to join forces with the leading grapeseed oil producer in Italy, which along with France is one of the biggest producers of the oil. The barrels of grapeseed oil are brought to the Napa Valley where Valentin and Nanette work their magic. Here in the valley, the oil is infused with various flavors; roasted garlic, basil, rosemary, chili and lemon. “We don’t use extracts,” said Nanette. “We use fresh herbs to infuse the oil.” The result is a collection of incredibly flavorful oils.
The oil is bottled in dark glass which offers UV protection to keep the oil from being harmed by light. “The oil will last around 30 months in the bottle,” said Nanette. Among local chefs who have converted to grapeseed oil is Mark Dommen, executive chef at Julia’s Kitchen at COPIA, The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, who uses Salute Sante’! oil in many of his recipes. Pick up a bottle or two and try the recipes provided here. You’ll wonder how you got along without it all this time. Salute Sante´! Grapeseed Oil is available at Vallergas Market and other specialty food stores in Napa Valley and beyond. Call Food & Vine at 707-251-3900 or visit their website at www.grapeseedoil.com for more recipes and other information on grapeseed oil.
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