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Discover the Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Factory Tour in Tennessee

Explore Tennessee’s original artisan “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker with a behind-the-scenes tour of Olive & Sinclair in Nashville. Offered exclusively on Saturdays, this intimate factory tour walks visitors through the roasting, stone-grinding and tempering processes that create their famous Southern-style chocolate. You’ll smell cocoa roasting, see antique melangers in action and sample rich small-batch chocolates made on-site.

Why it’s special:
Olive & Sinclair is known for combining old-fashioned production methods with inventive Southern flavors. Everything—from stone-ground chocolate to bourbon-barrel-aged bars—is crafted by hand. The tour offers rare, close-up access to artisan chocolate making in a cozy, historic building in East Nashville.

History/Story of Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co.

Founded in 2007, Olive & Sinclair began with a mission to bring traditional stone-ground chocolate making to Nashville. The company uses antique melangers, slow roasting and minimal processing to preserve cacao’s natural flavors. Over the years, their chocolates—featuring ingredients like bourbon, brown sugar and local ingredients—have become regional favorites. The factory tour was created to give visitors a direct look at this hands-on craft.

What You’ll See & Do at Olive & Sinclair

Learn how cacao beans are sourced, roasted, winnowed and stone-ground
Watch vintage melangers slowly grind cacao into rich chocolate liquor
Explore flavoring and tempering rooms, where bars and confections take shape
See packaging and production areas inside the historic East Nashville facility
Enjoy samples of signature chocolate bars, bourbon-nibs and seasonal releases
Shop small-batch, factory-exclusive items at the retail counter

Hands-On Elements: Tasting samples, interactive explanations of ingredients and processes, and close-up viewing of traditional chocolate-making machinery.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed in most areas; flash or filming may be limited around active machinery.
Souvenirs & Extras: Limited-edition bars, bourbon-aged chocolates, gift sets, apparel and artisanal treats.

Pricing of the Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Factory Tour

Standard Saturday tour + tasting: approximately $5 per person
All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult
Walk-ins may be accepted, but reservations strongly recommended

Practical Info for Visiting Olive & Sinclair

Duration: 45–60 minutes
Format: Guided small-group tour with tasting
Schedule & Seasonality: Tours offered Saturdays at set times; the factory is open Tuesday–Saturday for retail
Working Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; tours on Saturdays only
Audience: Families, chocolate lovers, culinary travelers and artisan-food enthusiasts
Accessibility: Historic building with some narrow walkways; most areas accessible
Safety & Restrictions: Children must stay with guardians; certain hot machinery areas are view-only
Languages: English
Group & School Visits: Private group tours may be arranged for select days
What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable shoes, curiosity and appetite for chocolate
Facilities: Retail shop, factory tour space, restrooms, street parking nearby
Closures & Downtime: Closed Sunday and Monday; major holidays may affect hours
Nearby:

Five Points neighborhood shops and cafés
Shelby Park and Greenway
Nashville’s East Side murals and food scene

FAQs About Visiting Olive & Sinclair

Do I need to book a Saturday tour in advance?
Yes—tours are offered only on Saturdays and often sell out, so advance booking is highly recommended.

Can children attend the tour?
Yes, children are allowed, but must remain with an adult due to active equipment and production areas.

Do tours include chocolate samples?
Absolutely—tastings of signature bars and rotating seasonal products are included.

Is the factory tour wheelchair-friendly?
Most areas are accessible, though some older sections of the building may have tight walkways.

Can I buy limited-edition chocolate on-site?
Yes—the retail counter features exclusive bars and small-batch releases available only at the factory.