Olive & Sinclair, located in the heart of East Nashville is Tennessee’s first and only bean-to-bar chocolate company. We set out to tour the factory and learn the process of creating their famous Southern Artisan Chocolate bars and other treats.
The Olive & Sinclair factory is located in a historic building that began in 1890 as an H.G. Hill Grocery Store and was later Archway Cookie Company. Once Olive & Sinclair took over the building, it was gutted and brought up to FDA standards. However, O & S began to search for antiquated pieces like their Roaster, Tempering units and other machines. Many other antiques can be seen throughout the current building including antique pendent factory lighting rescued from an old army barrack outside of Atlanta, 200-year-old heart pine beams, a glass candy cabinet and a vintage EAT sign.
We will even wear hairnets if it means we get to sample artisan chocolate, caramels and brittle!
Olive & Sinclair make a variety of artisan chocolates including Cacao Chocolate Bars (67% and 75%), Mexcian-Style Cinnamon Chili Chocolate Bar, Coffee Crunch Chocolate Bar, Sea Salt Chocolate Bar, Salt & Pepper Chocolate Bar, Buttermilk White Chocolate Bar and Cocoa Nib Chocolate Bar. Boxed sets are also available on their website.
During the tour, you will learn how Olive & Sinclair’s antique melanguers, European technique and classic Southern flavors come together to create Southern Artisan Chocolate.
These caramels are individually cut and wrapped by an Olive & Sinclair team member. Sea Salt & Vinegar as well as Duck Fat flavors are available. You can also find Bourbon Nib Brittle and Smoked Nib Brittle at this confectionary company. The Bourbon Nib Brittle was the winner of Southern Living’s Food Awards “Best Confection”.
Their adorable retail space is stocked with graphic t-shirts, hats, mugs, tea towels and many other items that would make perfect gifts!
Olive & Sinclair offer tours of their chocolate factory every Saturday with times running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each tour last around 30-40 minutes. Tickets are only $5 per person and includes samples, a complimentary hairnet, and you will also receive a discount on retail items. Make your tour reservations here.
It was such a treating touring this sweet shop with our family! I’m giving away some chocolate and a tour for 4 on Instagram today, so hop over and enter!