Wairarapa’s olive growers took home 49 medals from the NZ Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards held in Napier last Saturday night.
Olives New Zealand spokesperson Emma Glover said NZ olive oils are known for their “robust” and “intense” flavours.
“New Zealand has a renowned reputation for producing exceptional extra virgin olive oil that can compete on the global stage. This year, despite the challenging season, our olive oil industry continues to shine with 32 gold medals, 74 silver medals, and six bronze medals awarded out of 119 entries from all across New Zealand’s olive-growing regions.”
The Olive Press chairman Rod Lingard told the Times-Age that a decade of being awarded the title of ‘Best Processor’ by international judges and Olives New Zealand reinforces Wairarapa’s reputation as the nation’s leading region for premium quality olive oils.
“While we employ top people with global experience to do the best job possible, most of the credit for this honour has to go to our local olive growers – our success is really the reward for their constant hard work and dedication to quality,” he said.
As previously reported by the Times-Age, despite olive growers experiencing a testing season and disappointing harvest due to this year’s wet autumn, Lingard said Wairarapa growers still led the annual medal count at the industry’s annual awards, scooping 49 gongs from a national total of 112, although the ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Best Boutique’ EVOO awards went to South Island producers.
Wairarapa olive growers took home the following awards:
- The Reserve in Show was won by Loopline Olives – Picual [category of Commercial Medium, Single Varietal]
- The Reserve Boutique was won by Olivo – Koroneiki [category of Boutique Mild, single varietal]
- Best Processor was won by The Olive Press
- Best Label was won by Lot Eight
Best in Class winners:
- Boutique Mild – Single varietal: Olivo Koroneiki
- Boutique Medium – Single varietal: Olivo Picholene
- Commercial Mild – Single varietal: Loopline Picholene
- Commercial Medium – Single varietal: Loopline Picual
- Flavoured Citrus – Pressed Gold: Meyer Lemon Agrumato
