One doesn’t need the credentials of a gourmet chef to know that quality ingredients are the key to putting the magic in a meal. After decades of farming herbs outside of Houston and in Hawaii, Wayde and Susan Burt understand this well. Their new venture, Olive & Vine, establishes a culinary hub for the widest selection of fresh olive oils and authentic imported balsamic vinegars available in this area.

Located in the upscale CityCentre district, Olive & Vine takes the two cooking basics into a boutique setting that includes a well-stocked “tasting bar,” featuring an ever-changing roster of premium extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. “This concept is fairly common in Europe,” Wayde Burt says about the setup of his shop. “Here, you taste what you like, have it bottled, corked and sealed on the spot. It guarantees that the quality is tremendous. And once you get hooked, you won’t go back to cooking with butter or seed oils.”

Currently, Vinegar & Oil has approximately 20 olive oils and 20 vinegars to choose from. Choosing a favorite can be quite a challenge. As with wines, the growing region and varietal of the fruit create myriad of flavor profiles that can range from spicy, fragrant and peppery, to fruity, nutty and buttery.

The selection of oils changes every six months to coincide with the harvest seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres, guaranteeing a fresh experience and the freshest products. The balsamic vinegars, aged 18 years and blended with natural extracts, are all produced in a pure, timehonored process, resulting in a truly extraordinary flavor.

The Burts are a treasure trove of knowledge on their oils and vinegars, including the growing and milling, chemistry and the health benefits, but each cook must discover the flavors themself. “I think people will be as surprised, as we initially were, at the flavor differences in our fresh products at Olive & Vine versus what’s usually available at the grocery store,” Burt says.