Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa Monterey, Ca.
Welcome to MONTEREY TEQUILA FESTIVAL Festival
Bio of Eric Olson:
Eric Olson is the CEO of Central Coast Distillery, where he spearheads the production of 15
distinct types of spirits and offers contract distillation services for various companies. A specialist in Bourbon and Agave production, Eric’s passion for distillation has taken him to Mexico, where he studied the intricate processes of Agave production, including Mezcal and Tequila. At Central Coast Distillery, he leads a meticulous process of harvesting Agaves, cooking, converting them to sugar, fermenting, and distilling to create high-end, premium products.
Born in Palo Alto, California, Eric holds a graduate degree in culinary arts and boasts numerous certificates in distillation from top programs in Texas, Washington, Utah, and Kentucky—his favorite place of study. His culinary journey began as the Executive Chef at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, followed by a role as Executive Chef at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California. He has also made his mark as a guest chef at Pebble Beach and served as the Director of Food and Beverage at the renowned Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles, California. Under Eric’s leadership, Central Coast Distillery has earned several accolades, including multiple double gold medals, two-time “Best in Show,” and recognition as “Business of the Year” along with a tourism award from the state of California. Committed to giving back, the distillery supports local women’s shelters and hosts events to raise funds for homelessness initiatives. A strong believer in the power of persistence, Eric lives by the words of Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.”
