18 Years of Flavor and Gathering
For eighteen years, you’ve helped us set the table.
From weeknight dinners to holiday celebrations, Fustini’s has been part of the meals, memories, and little kitchen victories that make life feel full. What began as a single tasting room in Northern Michigan has grown into a community of people who believe good ingredients make everything — cooking, hosting, even ordinary days — feel just a bit more special.
This anniversary is a celebration of all the ways we’ve gathered together.
→ Shop our iconic 18 Year Traditional Balsamic
Where Our Story Began
Fustini’s was born from a love of discovery — the kind that happens while wandering through open-air markets, tasting oils fresh from the harvest, or lingering over a simple meal that somehow becomes unforgettable. When we opened our first shop in Traverse City in 2008, we hoped to bring that feeling home.
You’ve helped shape what Fustini’s has become ever since. Together, we’ve learned that a drizzle of beautiful olive oil or a splash of aged balsamic can turn everyday cooking into something worth slowing down for.
The Experience We’ve Created Together
If you’ve ever stood at the tasting bar debating between two favorites, you know the moment — that spark of curiosity, that excitement of trying something new.
We believe cooking should feel approachable, creative, and quietly luxurious. Not complicated. Not intimidating. Just deeply satisfying.
Whether you’re planning a dinner with friends or pulling together a quick salad on a busy evening, we’re honored to be part of the rhythm of your kitchen.
A Tradition of Gathering
Over the years, our oils and vinegars have found their way into so many shared rituals.
Bread passed around the table.
Roasted vegetables finished with a glossy drizzle.
A favorite balsamic brought out because you know it will always impress.
These small gestures create connection — and they remain at the heart of what we do today.
→ Explore featured recipes for inspiration
A Note from Jim
My, how time flies!! I’m flooded with memories of the warm response we got from guests when we opened the doors of our first store in Traverse City 18 years ago. The tasting room concept was entirely new. As guests experienced the flavor-infused EVOOs and aged balsamic vinegars, we’d hear all kinds of ideas about how they’d use them in the kitchen when they got home.
On occasion, I’d take my apron off and hang out on the sidewalk and listen to what the guests-turned-customers had to say…
“I’ve never been in a shop like this!”
“That was so much fun!”
…and “Sure hope these folks can make it just selling oils & vinegars.”
Pretty quickly, I could tell that there was a good, growing market, so we set off opening additional stores, publishing cookbooks, and organizing cooking demonstrations. This has happened as a result of a lot of hard work and passion by our incredible managers and staff, the support of the communities we serve, but most importantly, you — the customers.
You inspire us to continually improve. So much fun — and it still is!!
Jim
Growing Alongside Our Communities
From the beginning, we’ve believed that food connects us not only around the table, but within the communities we call home. Through our Fustini’s Cares initiatives, a portion of every purchase helps support organizations that promote healthy lifestyles and vibrant local communities.
We’re grateful to grow alongside the places and people who have supported us for the past eighteen years.
→ Learn more about Fustini’s Cares
Here’s to the Moments We Share
If Fustini’s has found a place in your kitchen or at your table, we hope you’ll celebrate this milestone in whatever way feels most like you — a favorite bottle uncorked on a quiet night in, a new flavor discovery, or a simple appetizer shared with people you love.
Thank you for being part of our story. We’re so grateful to gather, explore, and savor alongside you.
