The winners of the 2021 SA Olive Awards were announced on 9 September in Stellenbosch. These awards are a premier fixture on the South African olive industry calendar, and acknowledge the commitment and strive for excellence that characterises our local olive oil industry.
A total of 46 South African olive oil producers submitted 113 of their best extra-virgin olive oils (EVOOs) to be judged. All 113 EVOOs were rigorously and professionally assessed and judged during an extensive five-day blind tasting by professional taster and panel leader Aldo Mazzini from Italy, as well as five local tasters and judges: Reni Hildenbrand, Jackie Loubser, Benedetta Lami, Marlene Loubser and Michelle Kruger.
Aldo says: “I can say that during the competition we found a good percentage of very high-quality oils with complexity, harmony and character. These are oils that I like to compare to the great paintings of the Impressionists: EVOOs with great colours able to arouse emotions and colour the dishes of any table in the world.”
ALSO READ: 5 mistakes you may be making when buying olive oil
Each olive oil entry was judged on the complexities of aroma and flavour and the balance of fruity, bitter and pungent attributes. The standard of South African olive oils is generally very high and compares well with the best EVOOs in the world; this makes an award received in this competition not only an accolade for the producer but also an assurance for consumers that what they are buying is the best EVOO available in South Africa.
These were judged to be the best:
Gold Awards for the Delicate Category:
Kleinbergskloof Estate Blend
Olive Boutique Frantoio
Willow Creek Nuy Valley EVOO
Gold Awards for the Medium Category:
De Rustica Collection: Frantoio
De Rustica Estate Medium
Galenia Estate – Estate Blend
Kadimah Olive Estate Artois Olive Oil SANTÉ
Kamerkloof Studtis Estate Kamerkloof
Lapithos Family Reserve
Lions Creek Karoo Blend EVOO
Mardouw Premium Medium
Morgenster EVOO
Morgenster WW EVOO
Namaqua Olives & Olive Oil EVOO (blue tube)
Oudewerfskloof Favioso
PG Fruit Pai Parakore EVOO
Porterville Andante Intenso
Rio Largo Black Label
Serrado EVOO
Tokara Estate EVOO
Tokara Premium EVOO
Wildekrans Endless EVOO
Wildekrans Field Blend EVOO
Zoetigheyd Frantoio
Gold Awards for the Intense Category:
De Rustica Collection: Coratina
De Rustica Estate Intense
Mardouw XXV Intense
Porterville Andante Forte
Rio Largo Premium
Willow Creek Directors Reserve EVOO
When buying olive oil, always look for the SA Olive CTC seal on a bottle of 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 (South African) produced and is authentic extra-virgin olive oil.
ALSO READ: No, you can’t substitute olive oil with cannabis oil in your cooking