Here’s a plot twist: one of my absolute favorite spots in Annapolis isn’t a restaurant at all. It’s Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom, a little shop on Main Street where you get to taste your way through dozens of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars before you buy a single thing.
I go fairly frequently to stock up, and this time I brought my mom along so she could sample everything with me. If you’ve never been to a taproom like this, the whole idea is that you roam the shop, try as many flavors as you want straight from the taps, and take home the ones you love. We walked out with their family reserve picual olive oil and a bottle of red apple balsamic, and honestly, the quality’s so great I always need some at home for dipping. If you’re in Annapolis and love good food, this gem is a must!
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What Makes Seasons A Must Visit
What sets Seasons apart is that you’re not just grabbing a random bottle off a shelf, you actually get to taste before you commit. Everything’s stored in these sealed stainless steel drums called fusti, each with a little spigot, so you can sample any oil or vinegar you’re curious about.
The team’s always friendly and super knowledgeable, and they’ll happily walk you through pairings if you’re not sure where to start. It’s family-owned and has been since 2009, and their standout Family Reserve Picual actually comes from the founders’ own family olive groves in Jaen, Spain. That kind of direct-from-the-source quality is rare, and it’s a big part of why I keep coming back instead of just grabbing oil at the grocery store.
What You’ll Find at Seasons
Family Reserve Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($24.95)
This is the olive oil I went home with, and it’s the one to try first. It’s a single-estate, early-harvest Picual, which is a Spanish olive known for a bold, peppery, grassy kick (you might even feel a little tingle in the back of your throat, that’s the polyphenols doing their thing). It even took home a silver medal at this year’s big international olive oil competition. It’s so good that I keep reaching for it at home, mostly for dipping bread with a little oil and balsamic.
Red Apple Dark Balsamic ($21.95)
This was our pick-up this time around, and it did not disappoint. It’s a dark balsamic infused with red apple, and my go-to is torn bread with a little olive oil on the side. Between the quality and getting to taste it first, it’s an easy bottle to bring home.
Blueberry Dark Balsamic ($21.95)
My usual is actually their blueberry balsamic, which I grab basically every time I come in. It’s a dark balsamic with a fruity twist, and it’s the one I reach for most, usually on my favorite snack, yum bread with a little olive oil and balsamic. It’s my usual for a reason.
That’s just what I grabbed. The range goes deep, so give yourself time to explore:
- Infused olive oils like blood orange, garlic, basil, and even black truffle
- Fruit and herb dark balsamics like blackberry ginger, cinnamon pear, bourbon maple, and an 18-year traditional balsamic of Modena
- White balsamics, plus fruit and wine vinegars
- Finishing salts, seasoning blends, olives, pastas, and honey
- Gift sets and a seasonal subscription box if you want to send someone a treat
What’s an Olive Oil Taproom?
If you’ve never been to one, an olive oil taproom is basically a tasting bar for oils and vinegars. Instead of guessing from a label, you sample straight from the taps, comparing a peppery early-harvest olive oil against a mellow, buttery one, or a fruity dark balsamic against a bright white one, until you find your favorites.
It’s low-pressure and kind of fun, especially with someone else along to taste with (shoutout to my mom). Bottles come in a few sizes, from little 60ml minis up to bigger 500ml bottles, so you can try something new without committing to a giant bottle right away.
The Vibe and Experience
The shop sits right in the heart of historic downtown Annapolis, on Main Street just up from the City Dock, so it’s easy to fold into a day of wandering, shopping (my Uncharted gift-shop pick is right nearby), and eating your way around town. It’s a cozy, compact space, and the sampling makes it feel more like an experience than an errand. I love that I can take my time here and just enjoy the whole tasting process. It’s such a lovely spot for gift shopping, a mother-daughter afternoon, or just treating yourself to something nice for the kitchen.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 180 Main St, Suite 102, Annapolis, MD, in historic downtown on Main Street
- What it is: an olive oil and balsamic vinegar taproom where you sample from the taps and buy your favorites
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 7pm
- Prices: bottles run from about $8 for a 60ml mini up to around $36 for the biggest sizes, so there’s an option for every budget
- Shop the range or order online at seasonstaproom.com, with free shipping on orders over $100 and curbside pickup available
- Great for gifts: curated gift sets, gift cards, and a seasonal subscription box, plus occasional cooking classes (check the site for the current schedule)
- Parking: use the downtown Annapolis garages (Gott’s Court, Knighton, Park Place) or metered street parking, since Main Street fills up
- Fun fact: local Annapolis restaurants like Osteria 177 and Preserve cook with Seasons oils
Is Seasons Worth a Stop in Annapolis?
Seasons is one of those spots I send everyone to, whether you’re a serious home cook or you just want a really good bottle of balsamic for your bread. The quality’s a step above, the sampling’s genuinely fun, and you walk out with something you’ll actually use. If you’re making a day of it downtown, pair it with a stop at The Big Cheese for gourmet sandwiches and cheese, and you’ve basically built the perfect Annapolis food crawl.
Have you guys been to Seasons yet, or is there another Annapolis spot I need to add to my list? LMK in the comments, Nomsters! And if you love a good downtown browse, this one’s such an easy yes the next time you’re strolling Main Street.