An incredible 54 entries were received by olive oil producers throughout California

Fresno, CA - After extensive judging of quality California-produced olive oils, The Big Fresno Fair is excited to reveal the 9th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC) winners. This competition, which is open to all olive oil producers in California with products made from their 2023 olive harvest, received a total of 54 entries from 20 different olive oil producers from throughout the State.

Entries were received in two categories: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Flavored Olive Oil, with 10 classes in total. Gold and Silver Medals were awarded, as well as an overall “Best of Show” and “Best of the Valley” selected from all of the highest scoring gold medal entries in both categories. In total, there were 41 EVOO and 13 Flavored Olive Oil entries that were entered for judging. The winners of the 9th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition are as follows with the counties of ranch locations noted in parenthesis:

Best of Show
Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) – EVOO
ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Fresno Chili Crush (Fresno County) – Flavored Olive Oil

Best of the Valley
Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) - EVOO

Extra Virgin Olive Oils

- Gold Medal Winners
    -- Spanish Blends: Joseph Gallo Farms JG Family Estate (Merced County), Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) – EVOO
    -- Spanish Singles: Cobram Estates Everyday Essentials Mild (Yolo County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Delicate (Fresno County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Medium (Fresno County), Golden Harvest Estates Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Calaveras County), Olivaia’s OLA Estate Sevillano (Tulare County), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Arbequina (Monterey County)
    -- Italian Blends: Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Estate Blend (Monterey County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Eleganza Elite (San Luis Obispo County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Fantastico (San Luis Obispo County), San Miguel     Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Magnifico (San Luis Obispo County), Tres Osos Olive Oil Robust (Monterey County)
    -- Italian Singles: Sutter Buttes Natural Organic Coratina (Sutter County)
    -- Other Blends: Olivaia's OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)
 
Silver Medal Winners:
    -- Spanish Blends: California Olive Ranch’s 100% CA EVOO (Glenn County), California Olive Ranch Miller’s Blend (Glenn County), Corto Olive Oil Truly (San Joaquin County)
    -- Spanish Singles: California Olive Ranch Reserve Arbequina (Glenn County), California Olive Ranch Reserve Arbosana (Glenn County), Mangini Ranch Olive Oil Picual Reserve (Calaveras County), Olive Crush Farms Arbequina (Calaveras County)
    -- Italian Blends: Regency Olive Ranch Robust (Santa Barbara County)
    -- Italian Singles: La Torre Olive Oil Ascolano (Tulare County)

Flavored Olive Oils

Gold Medal Winners
    -- Citrus: ENZO Olive Oil Organic Eureka Lemon Crush (Fresno County), ENZO Olive Oil Organic Clementine Crush Olive Oil (Fresno County), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Orange Infused Olive Oil (Monterey County)
    -- Herbal: Corto Olive Co. Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil (San Joaquin County)
    -- Pepper: Corto Olive Co. Calabrian Chili (San Joaquin County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Organize Fresno Chili Crush (Fresno County), Sutter Buttes Citrus Habanero (Sutter County)
Silver Medal Winners
    -- Citrus: Sutter Buttes Natural Meyer Lemon (Sutter County)
    -- Herbal: ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Basil Crush (Fresno County)
    -- Other: Sutter Buttes Garlic Herb Olive Oil (Sutter County)

All winners will be on display in the Agriculture Building with educational information on the art of making olive oil and its health benefits. Gold Medal, Best of Show and Best of the Valley winners will have the opportunity to have a booth in the Agriculture Building during the 2024 Big Fresno Fair.

Participants in the 2024 SJVOOC were evaluated and scored on the following criteria:

- Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrated its type and/or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals were awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 - 100 points.
- Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals were awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76 - 85 points.
- Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall.
- Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley. Medals were awarded for both EVOO and flavored oils. (Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties eligible)

Details and the 2025 SJVOOC entry application will be posted in February 2025.

LINK TO WINNER PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/ImF7mdfRf6