Olives New Zealand

Awards

The 2023 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards

Pictured Best in Show winner Chris Moore from Robinsons Bay Olives with Garry Burlace from HortiCentre Charitable Trust

South Island’s olive oil producers have emerged as the champions of the 2023 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards. Congratulations to Robinsons Bay Olives winner of Best in Show and Isobel Olives Picual winner of Best Boutique oil.

This prestigious event sponsored by HortiCentre Charitable Trust, was held in Napier, Hawke’s Bay on Saturday, September 30th. The evening successfully brings together growers and industry sponsors from across the country to celebrate excellence in the olive oil industry, recognising finest producers and their exceptional Olive oils.

The top awards for the 2023 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards are as follows:

Best in Show – Robinsons Bay GB1 , Canterbury
Best Boutique – Isobel Olives Blend, Marlborough
Reserve Best in Show – Loopline Olives Picual, Wairarapa
Reserve Best Boutique – Olivo Koroneiki, Wairarapa
Best Flavoured Oil – The Olive Press, Pressed Gold – Meyer Lemon Agrumato, Wairarapa
Best Label – Lot Eight, Wairarapa

Best Processor – The Olive Press, Wairarapa

Emma Glover, spokesperson for Olives NZ, expressed delight in the South Island securing the top two positions this year, closely followed by producers in the Wairarapa. She congratulated all winners on their achievements, attributing the top winner’s success to dedication and hard work by the growers, higher sunshine hours and favourable growing conditions in the South Island during the summer.

“New Zealand has a renowned reputation for producing exceptional Extra Virgin Olive Oil that can compete on the global stage. This year, despite the challenging season, our olive oil industry continues to shine with 32 gold medals, 74 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals awarded out of 119 entries from all across New Zealand’s olive-growing regions,” said Glover. She noted New Zealand oils are k

nown for their robust and intense flavours, however due to many regions unseasonably wetter conditions preceding and during harvesting time,  many of the oils produced this year are medium and delicate in flavour.

The distribution of medals by region is as follows: Wairarapa received 49 medals, Kāpiti 14, Canterbury 12, Nelson 8, Central Otago 7, Auckland 6, Waiheke Island 5, Marlborough 4, Northland 3, with Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty each receiving 2.  The Awards were judged by two panels, each comprising of three experienced judges to International Olive Oil Council Panel (IOC) standards.   The six judges then re-judged all of the Best in Class winners to confirm the major winners.

Reni Hildenbrand, the head judge for 2023 from South Africa, praised the overall quality of the oils. Commenting from her experience in South Africa, high quality less intense oils appeal to a wider range of consumers. Hildenbrand is widely recognised for her contribution to the South African olive industry and has been tasting and judging Extra Virgin Olive Oils internationally since the year 2005.

The 2023 Winners

Best in Show – Robinsons Bay
Robinsons Bay Olives, owned by Chris and Annette Moore, have been producing award-winning olive oil on the Banks Peninsula since 2006. Their winning entry was a harmonious blend of Manzanillo and Nabali Mouhansen olives, with fruity aromas on the nose followed by wonderfully balanced bitterness and pungency in the mouth.

Best Boutique – Isobel Olives Blend
Isobel Olives, a boutique grove in Rarangi, Marlborough, owned by Chris Piper, presented a stunning and well-balanced blend of Frantoio and Picholene oils, delivering intense aromas of green grass on the nose with a good transfer to the palate. Harmonious, complex & persistent. Delicious!!!

Reserve Best in Show – Loopline Olives Picual, Wairarapa
Loopline Olives, a commercial grove in Opaki, Wairarapa, owned by Stephen Davies Howard earned this award with their Picual varietal oil, noted for its well-balanced profile with lovely notes of tomato on the nose and excellent presence in the mouth.

Reserve Best Boutique – Olivo Koroneiki
Olivo is the oldest commercial olive grove in the Wairarapa, owned by Helen and John Meehan, received recognition for their delicate single varietal Koroneiki oil, characterized by its well-balanced and delicate nature.

Best Flavoured Oil – Pressed Gold, Meyer Lemon Agrumato
The Olive Press in Greytown, Wairarapa, under the brand Pressed Gold, impressed with its Meyer Lemon Agrumato flavored oil, showcasing good intensity and purity of lemon the nose and in the mouth with a harmonious well-balanced base oil.

Best in Show 2023
Commercial Medium – Blends Robinsons Bay GB1 Chris & Annette Moore Canterbury
Reserve in Show 2023
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Loopline Picual Stephen Davies Howard Wairarapa
Best in Boutique 2023
Boutique Intense – Blends Isobel Olives Blend Chris Piper Marlborough
Reserve in Boutique 2023
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Olivo Koroneiki Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Best Flavoured Oil 2023
Flavoured Citrus Pressed Gold – Meyer Lemon Agrumato Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Best in Class Winners 2023
Boutique Mild – Blends Athena Olives Grove Blend Jackie and Nicola Breen and Jackson Canterbury
Boutique Intense – Blends Isobel Olives Blend Chris Piper Marlborough
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Olivo Koroneiki Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Olivo Picholene Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Robinsons Bay GB1 Chris & Annette Moore Canterbury
Commercial Mild – Blends Waikawa Glen Blend Lisa and Glenn Buchan and Wigley Kapiti
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Loopline Picholene Stephen Davies Howard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Loopline Picual Stephen Davies Howard Wairarapa
Flavoured Other Kakariki Olives Chilli Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Flavoured Citrus Pressed Gold – Meyer Lemon Agrumato Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Gold Medal Winners 2023
Gold – Boutique
Boutique Mild – Blends Athena Olives Grove Blend Jackie and Nicola Breen and Jackson Canterbury
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Athena Olives Early Harvest Jackie and Nicola Breen and Jackson Canterbury
Boutique Intense – Blends Isobel Olives Blend Chris Piper Marlborough
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Juno Olives Koroneiki Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Olivo Koroneiki Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Blue Earth Koroneiki Mike & Margaret Hanson Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Olivo Picholene Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Gold – Commercial
Commercial Medium – Blends Robinsons Bay GB1 Chris & Annette Moore Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Blends The Founders Neil Smith Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Athena Olives Barnea Jackie and Nicola Breen and Jackson Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Old French Road Manzanilla Jan & Niall Whyte, Holland Canterbury
Commercial Mild – Blends Terra Sancta Nathan Casey Hawkes Bay
Commercial Mild – Blends Waikawa Glen Blend Lisa and Glenn Buchan and Wigley Kapiti
Commercial Medium – Blends Waikokopu Grove & Orchard Huhana Smith Kapiti
Commercial Medium – Blends Kakariki Olives Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Commercial Medium – Blends Kakariki Olives – Tasman Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Commercial Medium – Blends Villa Grove Estate Phil and Rachel Costello Nelson
Commercial Medium – Blends Koru Olives/Oliven am Meer/Strathview Olives Julie Mays Northland
Commercial Mild – Blends Bella Olea Grove Blend Chris and Hilary Penman Wairarapa
Commercial Mild – Blends Lot Eight Reserve Blend Colin & Nalini Baruch Wairarapa
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Juno Olives Picual Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Loopline Picholene Stephen Davies Howard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Leafyridge Olives River Blend Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Lot Eight Oil Makers Blend Colin & Nalini Baruch Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Olivo Tuscan Estate Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Leafyridge Olives Picual Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Loopline Picual Stephen Davies Howard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Olivo Estate Helen & John Meehan Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Pressed Gold Frantoio Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Gold – Flavoured
Flavoured Other Kakariki Olives Chilli Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Flavoured Citrus Pressed Gold – Meyer Lemon Agrumato Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Flavoured Other Pressed Gold – Tuscan Herb Infusion Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Silver Medal Winners 2023
Silver – Boutique
Boutique Medium – Blends Ti Point FN23 Shane Anderson Auckland
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Duck Creek Olive Oil Derek and Sally Holland Auckland
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Ti Point F23 Frantoio Shane Anderson Auckland
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Mystery Valley Produce 1st Press Olive Oil Street David and Patsy Henderson & Taylor Bay of Plenty
Boutique Medium – Blends Stoney Grove Estate Tuscan Blend Trevor and Sandy Helm Canterbury
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Old French Road Kalamata Jan & Niall Whyte, Holland Canterbury
Boutique Medium – Blends Community Day Stephen and Olivia Morris Central Otago
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Rata Olives Frantoio (1) Hamilton and Gaylene McConachy Kapiti
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Te Horo Koroneiki Sonia and Peter Blaikie Kapiti
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Waikawa Glen Frantoio Lisa and Glenn Buchan and Wigley Kapiti
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Kel-burn Estate Alec & Anne Webster Kapiti
Boutique Intense – Single Varietal Noble Estate Mission Reserve Rob and Tricia Noble-Beasley Kapiti
Boutique Medium – Blends Faversham Olive Grove Janine Mayson Marlborough
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Isobel Olives Koroneiki Chris Piper Marlborough
Boutique Medium – Blends Cable Bay – The Waiheke Island Good Oil Carolyn Eichler Waiheke
Boutique Medium – Blends Two Groves Blend John & Angela, David & Tanya Goodwin, Todd Waiheke
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Two Groves Frantoio John & Angela, David & Tanya Goodwin, Todd Waiheke
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Two Groves Picual John & Angela, David & Tanya Goodwin, Todd Waiheke
Boutique Intense – Blends Waiwaia Olive Oil Paul & Shelley Stockman Waiheke
Boutique Mild – Blends River Grove South Grove Blend Steven & Chris Price Wairarapa
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Bella Olea Leccino SV Chris and Hilary Penman Wairarapa
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal Bella Olea Moraiolo Chris and Hilary Penman Wairarapa
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal DALI Koroneiki Ross & Andrea Vintiner, Stewart Wairarapa
Boutique Mild – Single Varietal River Grove Chemali Steven & Chris Price Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Blends Blue Earth Classic Mike & Margaret Hanson Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal DALI Frantoio Ross & Andrea Vintiner, Stewart Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Juno Olives Moraiolo Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Leafyridge Olives Koroneiki Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Leafyridge Olives Pendolino Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Olive Black Picual Richard Lee and Nga Wai Chiu Wairarapa
Silver – Commercial
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Olive Trading Company 23114F-OSY Johno Smith Auckland
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Olive Trading Company Frantoio Johno Smith Auckland
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Old French Road Picholine Jan & Niall Whyte, Holland Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Blends Southlea Olives Peter & Frances Baylis Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Old French Road Frantoio Jan & Niall Whyte, Holland Canterbury
Commercial Medium – Blends Awanui Olive Oil Michael & Jannette Hope Central Otago
Commercial Medium – Blends Dunford Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil No1 Blend Jocelyn & Sandy Robinson & Black Central Otago
Commercial Medium – Blends Dunford Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil No2 Blend Jocelyn & Sandy Robinson & Black Central Otago
Commercial Medium – Blends Ollies Oil Opiki Stephen and Olivia Morris Central Otago
Commercial Medium – Blends Ollies Oil Pigeon Stephen and Olivia Morris Central Otago
Commercial Medium – Blends Ollies Oil Starks Stephen and Olivia Morris Central Otago
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Telegraph Hill Premium Blend Geoff Crawford Hawkes Bay
Commercial Mild – Blends Kapiti Olives Leccino/Picual Grant and Diana Crosse Kapiti
Commercial Mild – Single Varietal Te Horo Frantoio Sonia and Peter Blaikie Kapiti
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Kapiti Olives Frantoio Grant and Diana Crosse Kapiti
Commercial Intense – Blends Totara Tunnel Leccino & Frantoio Blend Brent & Sally Meldrum & Murrey Kapiti
Commercial Intense – Blends RSA Three Services John Cragg Marlborough
Commercial Mild – Blends Kakariki Olives Mediterranean Blend Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Commercial Medium – Blends Olives on the Hill – Grove Blend Chris and Linda Smith Northland
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Olives on the Hill Frantoio Chris and Linda Smith Northland
Commercial Mild – Blends Olea Blend Charles & Kay Chinnaiyah Wairarapa
Commercial Mild – Blends Pressed Gold Oil Makers Blend Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Olive Black Blend Richard Lee and Nga Wai Chiu Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Pressed Gold Tuscan Blend Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Blends Pressed Gold Two Sheds Tuscan Blend Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Blue Earth Tuscan Mike & Margaret Hanson Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Juno Olives Fantoio Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Juno Olives Leccino Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Juno Olives Picholene Andrew Liley Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Leafyridge Olives Frantoio Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Leafyridge Olives Leccino Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Commercial Medium – Single Varietal Olea Frantoio Charles & Kay Chinnaiyah Wairarapa
Silver – Flavoured
Flavoured Other Mystery Valley Produce – Lemon and Fennel David and Patsy Henderson & Taylor Bay of Plenty
Flavoured Citrus Noble Estate Kaffir Lime Rob and Tricia Noble-Beasley Kapiti
Flavoured Citrus Kakariki Olives Lemon Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Flavoured Citrus Kakariki Olives Lime Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Flavoured Other Kakariki Olives Chilli and Lime Ray and Brenda Gregory Nelson
Flavoured Citrus Bella Olea Lemon Chris and Hilary Penman Wairarapa
Flavoured Citrus Leafyridge Lemon Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Flavoured Citrus Leafyridge Lime Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Flavoured Citrus Pressed Gold – Navel Orange Agrumato Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Flavoured Citrus Pressed Gold – Oriental Citrus Agrumato Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Flavoured Other Leafyridge Tuscan Herb Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa
Flavoured Other Pressed Gold – Chipotle Chili Infusion Rod Lingard Wairarapa
Bronze Medal Winners 2023
Bronze – Boutique
Boutique Medium – Blends McGiven Valley Olive Oil Christopher & Heather Seel Auckland
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Two Old Soldiers Gordon and Louise Legge and Webb Canterbury
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Noble Estate Mission Impossible Rob and Tricia Noble-Beasley Kapiti
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal Rata Olives Leccino Hamilton and Gaylene McConachy Kapiti
Boutique Medium – Single Varietal River Grove Frantoio Steven & Chris Price Wairarapa
Bronze – Flavoured
Flavoured Other Leafyridge Chilli Craig & Ruth Leaf-Wright Wairarapa

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