De Rustica and Mardouw lead the way at the 2023 SA Olive Awards

Food24

8 months ago

Despite the numerous challenges olive producers around the world faced this year, the 2023 Olive Awards saw 82 top-quality entries from 32 producers.

De Rustica Estate in De Rust and Mardouw, situated between Ashton and Swellendam, each obtained five Gold awards. De Rustica took Gold for its De Rustica Estate Collection Arbequina, De Rustica Estate Collection Frantoio, De Rustica Estate Medium, De Rustica Estate Intense and De Rustica Estate Collection Coratina. Mardouw won Gold for its XXV Delicate, XXV Medium, Favolosa, XXV Intense and XXV Intense Blend. Mardouw also received a Silver award for its Premium Medium.

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Other top winners include Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm and Tokara, which each received four Silver awards.

Richard Allen, Chairman of the SA Olive Industry says: “This year has been particularly challenging for our producers due to a poor harvest that saw considerably lower yields – and, by the way, this was experienced by all olive-growing countries around the world this year. Added to this, there were other daily challenges such as loadshedding, so it’s even more commendable that our local Extra Virgin Olive Oil producers continue to deliver such amazing quality – the kind of quality that earns them the highest international accolades, here and around the world. Despite the challenges, we received a total of 82 entries from 32 producers. SA Olive is both proud and delighted to represent our South African producers and to showcase their top-quality, locally produced EVOOs.”

Always look out for the SA Olive CTC seal on a bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). This is a seal of confidence and it’s the guarantee that the producer is ‘committed to compliance’ in quality olive oil production. It confirms that the EVOO is 100% locally produced and is authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.