Our Story
Down-To-Earth Delicious
Black Oak Coffee Roasters was founded in 2012 in Ukiah, California, by current CEO Jon Frech and his then partner, Keith Feigin - two coffee enthusiasts dedicated to crafting exceptional coffee and building strong community.
Inspired by the natural beauty of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, they set out on a mission to create a company rooted in quality, sustainability, and connection. Today, the company is captained by Frech and Thomas Chandler, Black Oak’s visionary green buyer and head roaster.
One of Black Oak’s first milestones was saving a 1955 Probat roasting machine from being sold outside the community. This antique roaster became the heart of their craft, serving as the primary roaster for 11 years and helping establish the award-winning quality that Black Oak is known for today.
Over the years, Black Oak has grown into an award winning coffee company, with coffees featured in Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard-nominated bakeries, and in the offices of some of the world’s top companies. Locally, Black Oak’s coffee can be enjoyed daily at their cafes, in Ukiah and Healdsburg, or through their Tasting Club, bringing the joy of world-class coffee to homes across the country.
Sustainability and community are at the core of Black Oak’s mission. The company partners with ethical coffee producers, invests in Northern California’s communities, regularly supports World Coffee Research, and ensures that employees receive living wages and opportunities to thrive.
Whether you’re visiting one of Black Oak’s cafes or brewing their coffee at home, they strive to share the joy of exceptional, locally roasted coffee—crafted with care, served with heart, and always without pretension.
Our Values
At Black Oak we view coffee as so much more than a delicious drink. From the coffee farms of Colombia, to the customers visiting our Ukiah and Healdsburg cafes, to the Tasting Club members enjoying our coffee across the United States, we consider it a way to connect, support, and lift each other up.
This philosophy begins with a commitment to generous service, whether it’s ensuring a farmer gets a fair price for their harvest, creating memorable experiences for customers in our cafes, or delivering exceptional coffee to your doorstep.
We’re focused on the long game, working toward a sustainable future for coffee that benefits not just today’s communities, but generations to come.
Every cup we craft represents this vision: a celebration of people, relationships, and the planet.
Award Winning Quality
We’re proud of the recognition we’ve earned, from being named Overall Champion multiple times at the Golden Bean North America competition to winning America’s Best Espresso and a national title in the U.S. Cup Tasters Championship.
Locally, we’ve been honored as the best business in Ukiah and the best coffee shop in Healdsburg, celebrating our connection to the community.
These awards inspire us to continue crafting exceptional coffee and creating memorable experiences for everyone we serve.