UC Davis olive oil is sure to sell even faster this year.

For one thing, if the first two production years are any indication, the oil will be sure to please the palate. For another thing, at this year's launch party on March 19, the sales staff will have a modern set-up -- able to swipe credit cards electronically for quicker transactions.

"That may not sound like big news, but it is for people who remember the long lines at last year's launch party," said Katie Hetrick, one of the event organizers.

She said this year's event will be bigger and better, with free tasting of UC Davis' olive oils, and oils and table olives from other local producers; plus expanded wine tasting and a new feature: beer tasting.

Organizers said University Dining Services will prepare appetizers that showcase the campus's olive oil, of course, as well as sustainable farming. Some menu examples: Hot Gunrock Pasta with Gunrock olive oil (from the Silo Café & Pub's spring-summer menu) and Marsha's Marvelous Cashew Carrot Ginger Organic Vegan Soup.

The UC Davis Meat Lab will get into the act with summer sausage, served with sweet hot mustard dipping sauce.

Growers Cooperative greens will be served up with Buildings and Grounds Director Sal Genito's special dressing, made from The Silo olive oil and UC Davis Dinny wine vinegar.

All UC Davis olive oils and vinegar come in 250 milliliter bottles. Dinny vinegar will sell for $8 at the launch party, while The Silo and Gunrock olive oils will sell for $10 and Wolfskill for $12. These are discounted prices, the only time all year that the olive oils and vinegar will be discounted. If you attend the launch party, and do not care to wait in line to make your purchases, you will be given a coupon entitling you to the same discount prices through March 28 at the campus bookstore, where the products are due to go on sale March 20.

Nondiscounted prices at the bookstore and online are as follows: Wolfskill, $15; The Silo and Gunrock, $12; and Dinny vinegar, $10.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Olive Oil Launch Party — the entire campus community is invited.

WHEN: 4-6 p.m. March 19

WHERE: Silo Café & Pub

COST: Free admission; $8 for wine tasting and $4 for beer tasting (cash payment preferred)

RSVP: ucdoliveoil@ucdavis.edu

Online sales and more information on UC Davis olive oil and vinegar: oliveoil.ucdavis.edu