These are South Africa's best olive oils

©Sebastian Duda via 123RF

The event signifies and acknowledges the culmination of hard work and the strive for excellence within the industry.

Nick Wilkinson, chairman of SA Olive, commented:“Despite the horrendous drought and challenging growing conditions our growers have once again produced world quality premium oils.

"Competitions like the SA Olive Awards and the Absa Top 10 Awards not only shine a light on the skills of SA olive oil producers, they also encourage South African and international consumers to buy locally produced extra virgin olive oils. The industry has shown itself to be forward thinking and innovative in all aspects of production. If Government triggers their development plan, which recognises the upside this industry has in job creation and import substitution, we could play a positive role in addressing the very real problems facing our country.”

From left to right:

Front: Nick Wilkinson (Rio Largo Olive Estate), Willie Duminy (Porterville Olives), Jan Hendrik Basson (Porterville Olives), Daniel Munzvenga (Zoetigheyd Farms), Leana Stevens (Olyfberg Vrugte), Nico Loubser (Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate) Middle: Chris van Niekerk (Mardouw Olive Estate), Alexis Kearney (Lapithos Olive Growers), Lizelle Joubert (Oakhurst Olives), Joop Steenkamp (De Rustica Estates) Back: Peter Unite (Zoetigheyd Farms), Bob Hobson (L’Ormarins), Bryan Beverley (L’Ormarins), Sandy Jeffery (Diepsak Farm), Pieter du Toit (Oakhurst Olives), Gert van Dyk (Tokara), Philip King (Mardouw Olive Estate), Perry Chaloner (Chaloner), Pieter Coetsee (Marbrin Farm), Briony Coetsee (Marbrin Farm), Clive Heymans (Marbrin Farms). Image credit: SA Olive

According to SA Olive, a total of 93 extra virgin olive oils were entered into the 2018 competition – a slight increase over last year’s 87 entries. The panel awarded 21 gold, 34 silver and 26 bronze medals, which made 87% of the competing oils medal worthy.

Gold medal winners in the Delicate category

Diepsak Farm - Green & Gold Premium
Olyfberg Vrugte - Olyfberg EVOO Blend A
Rio Largo Olive Estate - Rio Largo Gold EVOO
Tokara - Tokara Mission EVOO

Gold medal winners in the Intense category

Marbrin Farm - Mabrin Olive Growers Directors Reserve EVOO
Mardouw Olive Estate - Premium XXV Intense EVOO
Porterville Olives - Andante Intenso EVOO

Gold medal winners in the Medium category

Chaloner - Chaloner Nocellara Medium EVOO
Lapithos Olive Growers - Lapithos Medium EVOO
De Rustica Olive Estates - De Rustica Estate Collection Frantoio EVOO
L’Ormarins - Terra del Capo EVOO
L’Ormarins - L’Ormarins Medium EVOO
Mardouw Olive Estate - Mardouw Oil of the Olive EVOO
Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate - Morgenster Don Carlo Medium EVOO
Namaqua Olives - Namaqua Frantoio Medium EVOO
Namaqua Olives - Namaqua FS17 / Frantoio Medium EVOO
Oakhurst Olives - Oakhurst Medium EVOO
Serrado Olive Estate - Serrado Estate Medium EVOO
Zoetigheyd - Daniel’s Delish EVOO
Zoetigheyd - Farm Fresh EVOO
Zoetigheyd - Costa’s Colours EVOO

Scooping the most gold medals were Zoetigheyd Farm (3),L’Ormarins (2), Namaqua Olives (2) and Mardouw Olive Estate (2).

For the full list of winners visit SA Olive online.