Sapothecary was founded in early 2007 when McEvoy Ranch, a premier producer of organic extra virgin olive oil, purchased a small soap operation run by two brothers who were making soap from the ranch's estate olive oil. The soap, which everyone at the ranch loves for its rich lather and moisturizing properties, is one of a line of high-quality handmade estate products.

Some of these products were being made at the ranch by one of the gardeners, John Bailey. Because of his experience with cottage-scale production of gourmet products like handsalves and honey, and because of his dedication to and experience with both organic agriculture and sustainable business, John was asked to become the soapmaker, an offer he readily accepted.    

Since the beginning, Sapothecary has focused on creating the highest quality bar soaps using the finest ingredients from botanical sources. All of our various creations are crafted by hand using precise combinations in a delicate process worked out by a long line of soapmakers. We focus on meeting the needs of each individual client by offering as many customization options as possible, ensuring that each choice offers maximum personal, economic, and environmental benefits.

We believe that the living world provides us with the most healthful, sensual, and healing palette of materials. At Sapothecary we strive to craft soaps that allow the beneficial qualities of these ingredients to enliven and enhance the everyday experience of washing. To better align with the philosophy of sustainability and organics, soon after its inception Sapothecary eliminated all artificial fragrances and additives, choosing to craft "handmade botanical soaps" using only plant-based ingredients like essential oils and organic herbs. 

To create more benefit for the end consumer, the bather, and the primary producers, the plants and planet, we source organic and ecologically friendly materials wherever possible, and run our business using ever more sustainable practices. From organic ingredients to compostable packaging, Sapothecary is doing the work to make our products, as well as our business processes, ever more environmentally conscious and ecologically sustainability. To better assess and continually improve the sustainability of both our product and our business processes, we have adopted The Natural Step, a framework which allows us to make ecologically and socially minded decisions and changes using a simple set of four criteria based on scientific principles.