Our Story
At Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, we’ve always been committed to providing high-quality ingredients to inspire healthy and flavorful cooking. From our beginnings as a single tasting room, Fustini’s has expanded to incorporate several tasting rooms as well as a robust online shopping experience to welcome all guests to experience the joy of cooking with quality ingredients.
Our Beginnings
While traveling in Europe, Jim Milligan was enamored with the oil and vinegar stores he experienced. After a long career in the international business field, he sought to bring the concept of quality oil and vinegar shops stateside. Recognizing the exploding foodie market, Milligan saw an opportunity.
In 2008, he opened the doors to Fustini's Oils & Vinegars tasting room in downtown Traverse City. The name itself, "Fustini's," pays homage to the Italian word "fustino," referencing the stainless steel drums used to traditionally hold these fine olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
Fustini's in Traverse City thrived. This focus on high-quality, artisanal products, coupled with exceptional customer service, ignited a passion for healthy and flavorful cooking among its patrons. The success spurred expansion, and in the following years, Milligan brought Fustini's to three additional Michigan locations, including Petoskey, Ann Arbor, and Holland.
The Fustini's Difference
From appetizers to desserts to beverages and more, Fustini’s bold and flavorful oils and vinegars can transform your recipes. Vinegars are naturally low in calories, and oils are packed with antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to any meal. Plus, Fustini's has developed relationships with selected artisans and growers that allows us to secure top quality olive oils in a market of scarcity.
A trip to a Fustini's tasting room is more than a standard shopping experience. Guests can taste the products themselves and discover their own favorite pairings. With nearly 800 possible combinations, there's something for everyone.
Fustini's goes beyond offering exceptional oils and vinegars. We’re all about creating a zest for food, creativity in the kitchen, and igniting the inner foodie in all of us. This passion has fueled our growth beyond oils and vinegars, allowing us to offer a wider range of gourmet products and experiences that connect you to the joy of cooking.
What We're Cooking Up
With our commitment to inspiring healthy and flavorful foods, we go beyond selling products to empowering our communities with wholesome, quality ingredients. Here are a few of the many things we’re cooking up at Fustini’s:
- Fustini’s Cares – Our ongoing corporate initiative to donate 1% of each and every sale to an organization working to provide healthy food to communities.
- Virtual Olive Oil Tasting – Learn to taste olive oil like a professional through virtual olive oil tasting with one of our experienced team members. (Returning FALL 2024 with a fresh new format!)
- Gourmet Pantry Items – Pair your olive oil and balsamic vinegars with other flavor-packed ingredients found in our Fustini’s Pantry. We’re always adding new and fun products!
- Gift Sets – Make gifting easy with our pre-made and customizable gift sets, perfect for special occasions, hostess gifts, and corporate gifting.