California Olive Oil Council Celebrates Excellence In 16th Annual Competition

Last weekend marked a significant milestone for the California Olive Oil Council (COOC) as it hosted its first in-person Annual Member Meeting since 2019. This gathering brought together prominent figures from the industry, including UC Davis Olive Center Executive Director Javier Fernandez Salvador and President of the American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA) Kimberly Houlding. Over two days, attendees engaged in discussions on vital regulatory and research updates, recent marketing initiatives, and the evolving dynamics of California’s extra virgin olive oil sector.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the COOC's 16th Annual Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. This prestigious contest celebrates the state's olive oil producers, focusing on extra virgin olive oils from the 2023 harvest season. The competition acknowledged the Best of Show, Best in Class, Gold, and Silver medalists, showcasing the exceptional quality and diversity of California's olive oils.

The Ranch at Birch Creek took home the Best of Show with its Italian Blend. The Best in Class awards were distributed across various categories, with winners including The Ranch at Birch Creek for Italian Blends and Marcum Olive Oil for Italian Single Varietal. Spanish Single Varietals and Blends saw Basque Away and High Top Ranch LLC winning respectively. Other notable mentions include Wild Groves for Other Single Variety and Basque Away for Other Blends.

Gold Medalists featured a wide array of producers such as Basque Away, Calistoga Press, Enzo Olive Oil Co., Gold Ridge Organic Farms, and many others, each recognized for their outstanding extra virgin olive oils. Silver Medalists included Badass Olive Oil, Corto, Dogtown Olive Oil, Enzo Olive Oil Co., among others, highlighting the competitive nature and high standards of the contest.

The COOC Board of Directors extended their congratulations to all winners, emphasizing the dedication of COOC members to producing exceptional extra virgin olive oils through adherence to best practices. They also expressed gratitude towards consumers and retailers for their continuous support of 100% California-certified extra virgin olive oil.

For those interested in learning more about the COOC and its efforts to promote high-quality California olive oil, further information can be found on their official website. Additionally, olive oil enthusiasts can follow the COOC on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on news and events related to California’s extra virgin olive oil industry.

This annual competition not only highlights the excellence within California's olive oil production but also reinforces the state's position as a leading producer of high-quality extra virgin olive oil on a global scale. The COOC's commitment to maintaining stringent standards ensures that consumers continue to have access to some of the finest olive oils available.