Central Otago Extra Virgin Olive Oils win Silver Medals - Dunford Grove on the shores of Lake Dunstan owned by Sandy Black and Jocelyn Robinson, Ollie’s at Smiths Way owned by Steve Morris and Olivia Stark, COOG Community Pressing, Awanui on the terraces at Clyde owned by Jannette and Michael Hope.

Judges for the 2023 NZ EVOO Awards. 

Head Judge is Reni Hildenbrand from South Africa

New Zealand based judges are: Roberto Zecca, Charlotte Connoley, Hilary Fenemor, Peter Coubrough, Ed Scott. 

All of our judges are trained to International Olive Oil Council Panel standard and are well experienced in judging, including most at international competitions.

Entries for the 2023 NZ EVOO Awards opened on Tuesday 1st August and last date for receipt of entries was Thursday 31st August.

Three bottles were required for both EVOO and Flavoured entries.

The Awards

Gold 

Silver 

Bronze, 

Best in Class, 

Best/Reserve Boutique, 

Best/Reserve Flavoured Oil 

Best/Reserve in Show 

Special Awards 

Best Label for which all fully labelled entries will be automatically considered. 

Best Processor which will be based on the top five winning oils by an individual processor. 

The Awards will be presented at the NZ EVOO Awards Cocktail Evening at the MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier on Saturday 30th October. The registration form for the Awards evening, including a special offer on accommodation, will be sent out in August.

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 flavoured oil, showcasing good intensity and purity of lemon the nose and in the mouth with a harmonious well-balanced base oil.