Frequently Asked Questions

We don’t use a promo code box at checkout, but we do provide free samples with every order when you purchase two or more products. Once you’ve added the bottles you’d like to purchase to your cart, you’ll be prompted to select your two free sample flavors before completing your order.

Yes! Every balsamic vinegar and oil product we make is gluten-free.

Yes! According to FDA regulations, a product can be labeled as sodium-free if it contains no more than 5 mg of sodium per serving. Our balsamic vinegars and oils contain only 2 mg of sodium per serving, making them sodium-free. Even our spice-blended flavors, such as the 7-Herb Italian, are crafted using sodium-free seasonings sourced from our friends in the SOS-free community.

All products listed on our “Balsamic” page are completely oil-free. To minimize confusion for our SOS-free friends, we’ve moved all olive oil and vinaigrette (vinegar + oil) products to a separate page called “Vinaigrettes and Oils.” If you’re unsure whether a product contains oil, you can always check the ingredients list on the product page or label for confirmation.

Our balsamic vinegars contain no added processed or cane sugars; the sweetness comes naturally from the grape juice used to make them. The balsamic is concentrated into a syrup-like consistency by reducing the vinegar and boiling off the water, creating “grape must,” which intensifies the natural sugars.

Both our Premium Dark and Premium White balsamic vinegar bases contain 7 grams of naturally occurring sugar per tablespoon. However, they are designed to be used sparingly, typically in teaspoons per serving, to enhance recipes.

At California Balsamic, we prioritize eco-friendly shipping practices and aim to reuse materials whenever possible. Here’s how we ensure our packaging is as sustainable as we can make it:

1. Biodegradable Packing Peanuts: We use biodegradable packing peanuts that can be composted. Instructions are included in the FAQ and noted on the packing slip in every box.
2. Corrugated Cardboard Bottle Wraps: We create bottle wraps from the corrugated cardboard sheets in our glass bottle cases, reducing waste and eliminating the need for plastic bubble wrap.
3. Reused Protective Foam: We repurpose foam from a nearby solar installation facility. The foam, used to protect delicate solar cells and batteries during shipping, would otherwise go to a landfill. By reusing it, we safely pack our glass bottles while giving the foam a second life.

While we strive to minimize waste, ensuring the safe delivery of our products is essential for us as a small business. Reusing materials like Styrofoam helps us protect fragile items and reduces environmental impact.

If you prefer your order to be shipped using only biodegradable materials, let us know! Simply include “biodegradable supplies only” in your order notes, along with your sample and promotion preferences. In this case, the only non-recyclable components in your box will be the packing tape and rubber bands.

Balsamic vinegar, like many agricultural products, can naturally contain trace amounts of lead absorbed by grapevines from the soil during cultivation. When grapes are boiled down and concentrated into balsamic vinegar, these trace amounts may become more detectable.

According to regulatory guidelines, foods must be labeled as containing lead if their levels exceed 1/1,000th of the amount known to cause effects in humans, providing a significant safety margin. Lab analysis of our premium dark and light balsamic vinegar bases shows lead levels of 19.7 parts per billion.

To put this into perspective, an average person would need to consume 1-2 cups of our balsamic vinegar daily over an extended period to even reach California's Proposition 65 lead threshold. This level is still 1,000 times lower than what is considered harmful to humans, making the lead content in our balsamic vinegar extremely low and well within safety standards.

Our balsamic vinegars contain naturally occurring sulfites, which are a by-product of the fermentation process used to create all wines, vinegars, and many other fermented foods. The sulfur dioxide (commonly called sulfites) in our balsamic vinegar comes from this natural process and is not artificially added.

Our balsamic vinegar contains an average of 200 parts per million (20 milligrams per 100 grams) of sulfites. For comparison, dried fruits like raisins or prunes often contain 500 to 2,000 parts per million of added sulfites, as they are frequently used as preservatives.

If you are highly sensitive to sulfites, you may find balsamic vinegars labeled as "sulfite-free." These products often use hydrogen peroxide to neutralize the naturally occurring sulfur dioxide. However, we choose not to add any chemicals to our products, prioritizing purity and natural processes.

No, our 1.6 oz sample and 3 oz travel bottles are made from durable PET plastic, which is BPA-free. We use plastic for these smaller sizes instead of glass to offer a convenient "squeeze" bottle for our thick, rich balsamic and to reduce the risk of breakage during shipping.

Our balsamic vinegars have an acidity level of 4%, which makes them shelf-stable without refrigeration. To maintain their quality, store them in a cabinet away from direct sunlight and ensure they are sealed with their airtight lid.

• Balsamic Vinegars: Best used within 18 months for optimal flavor and quality.
• Rice Bran Oil Vinaigrettes: Recommended use within 18 months.
• Olive Oil Products: Best used within 12 months of opening.

Refrigeration is not required for any of our products.

Our balsamic vinegar base is non-GMO, but not certified organic. Some of our savory flavors use organic ingredients such as organic garlic. Those ingredients are listed as such in the ingredients.

Our products are not certified Kosher. Since the grapes used to produce our balsamic vinegar are sourced from various vineyards across Modena and surrounding regions, we cannot guarantee that every vineyard or facility involved in the production process meets Kosher certification standards.

Every balsamic vinegar and oil product we make has it’s nutritional information form on it’s product page in the photos section.

Yes, we’re happy to include a customized gift card with your order! Here’s how:

1. During checkout, include your message in the 'order special instructions' section using the format: “Gift card note: ‘[Your message]’.”
2. After placing your order, check your confirmation email to ensure your note appears in the “note” section.

If you’re unsure whether your message was saved, email us promptly at orders@californiabalsamic.com, and we’ll ensure it’s included in your gift.