2017 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards

2017 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards

Press Release 15th October 2017

New Zealand’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards – Top Honours Announced

Winners in New Zealand’s most prestigious competition for olive oil were announced last night at a formal dinner held in Wellington. The New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Awards are run by Olives New Zealand, the national organisation for olive oil growers.

Loopline Olives from Wairarapa took out the 2017 Best in Show as well as Best in Class in the Commercial Medium Single Varietal Class with their Loopline Picual. Reserve Best in Show was Robinsons Bay GB2 from Akaroa.

Juno Olives from Wairarapa won the Best in Boutique Category for growers who produce less than 250 litres of certified extra virgin olive oil, as well as Best in Class in the Boutique Medium Single Varietal Class with their Juno Picual. Reserve Best Boutique was Blue Earth Tuscan Blend, also from Wairarapa.

Best Flavoured Oil was won by The Olive Press, Wairarapa with their Pressed Gold – Lemon/Lime Infused.

Medals were spread across New Zealand’s growing regions with 44 going to Wairarapa, 12 to Canterbury, 9 to Nelson, 8 each to Hawke’s Bay and Kapiti, 6 to Northland, 4 to Auckland and 1 each to Bay of Plenty, Central Otago, Marlborough and Waiheke Island. This equated to 19 Gold Medals, 43 Silver Medals and 33 Bronze Medals, a total of 95 medals.

The judging panel of six trained and experienced international and New Zealand olive oil tasters praised both of the top winning oils. They said “Loopline Picual has a savoury complex aroma with fresh herbaceous flavours tantalising the palate. Well balanced and harmonious oil. Juno Picual has sweet ripe tomato with sweet vegetable hints. Well balanced with a lingering flavour and clean lively finish.”

Loopline Olives is owned by Mark and Kate Bunny. It is a medium sized grove of approximately 900 trees established in 2001. This is the 2nd occasion that Loopline Olives has won the supreme award, having taken out the top award also in 2014. They have been consistent medal winners at other previous Awards. .

The Head Judge, Dr Giuseppe Di Lecce commented on the quality of the oils entered in New Zealand’s top olive oil awards. He said “I have been involved in the assessment of olive oils at international competitions this year, including the prestigious New York International. The oils entered in the New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards, in particular the Picual, are some of the best Extra Virgin Olive Oils I have tasted this season.”

As a condition of entry all entrants must have been formally assessed as Extra Virgin Olive Oil and carry the OliveMark. Consumers can thus be assured that New Zealand olive oil displaying the red OliveMark has met the strict standards for Olives New Zealand Certification; it is certified as extra virgin, is packaged and labelled appropriately and an authentic New Zealand product. A further mark of excellence is a medal from the Olives New Zealand Awards.

For a full list of results see http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/awards/

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