After an extensive judging of submitted California-produced olive oils, The Big Fresno Fair has revealed the winners of the popular San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC), which returned after being canceled in 2020 amid the statewide shelter-in-place order due to COVID-19 that made judging impossible. The SJVOOC, which is open to all olive oil producers in California with products made from their 2020 olive harvest, received a total of 55 entries from 17 different olive oil producers from throughout the State.
Entries were received in two categories, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Flavored Olive Oil, with 10 classes in total. Gold and Silver Medals were awarded, as well as an overall “Best of Show” and “Best of the Valley” selected from all of the highest scoring gold medal entries in both categories. In total there were 42 EVOO and 13 Flavored Olive Oil entries that were entered for judging.
Following are the winners of the Sixth Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition.
Best of Show: The Olive Press Sevillano (Sonoma and Yolo County)
Best of Show Flavored: Calivirgin Serrano (San Joaquin County)
Best of the Valley: Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)
Extra Virgin Olive Oils
Gold Medal Winners
Spanish Blends: Barton Olive Oil Co. EVOO (San Luis Obispo County)
Spanish Singles: Olive Crush Farms Arbequina (Calaveras County), Rosenthal Ranches Arbosana (Madera County), California Olive Ranch Arbosana (Glenn County), The Olive Press Sevillano (Sonoma and Yolo County), The Olive Press Picual (Sonoma and Yolo County), The Olive Press Arbosana (Sonoma and Yolo County), Organic Roots Arbequina (Glenn County), Calivirgin Premium EVOO (San Joaquin County), Mountain Springs Olive Ranch Arbequina (San Luis Obispo County), Corto Olive Co. Truly Arbosana (San Joaquin County)
Italian Blends: Tres Osos Robust (Monterey County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Eleganza Elite (San Luis Obispo)
Italian Singles: Tres Osos Taggiasca (Monterey County)
Other Blends: Rancho Azul y Oro Estate (Monterey County), Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)
Other Singles: Mangini Ranch Mission (Calaveras County), Mountain Springs Olive Ranch Koroneiki (San Luis Obispo County)
Silver Medal Winners
Spanish Blends: Olivaia’s OLA Block X Blend (Tulare County)
Spanish Singles: Cobram Estate 100 percent California Classic (Yolo County), Cobram Estate Mild (Yolo County), Rancho Azul y Oro Arbequina (Monterey County), The Olive Press Arbequina (Sonoma and Yolo County), ENZO Organic EVOO – Delicate (Madera County), Corto Olive Co. Truly Arbequina (San Joaquin County)
Italian Blends: San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Paradiso (San Luis Obispo County), Marchini Farms Joe’s Premium Tuscan Blend (Merced County)
Other Blends: Mangini Ranch – Calaveras Reserve (Calaveras County)
Other Singles: Organic Roots Koroneiki (Glenn County)
Flavored Olive Oils
Gold Medal Winners
Pepper: Calivirgin Serrano (San Joaquin County), Calivirgin Habanero (San Joaquin County)
Citrus: Enzo Organic Eureka Lemon Crush (Madera County), ENZO Organic Clementine Crush (Madera County)
Herbal: Calivirgin Bountiful Basil (San Joaquin County)
Silver Medal Winners
Pepper: Calivirgin Hot Virgin Jalapeno (San Joaquin County), ENZO Organic Fresno Chili Crush (Madera County)
Citrus: Calivirgin Lusty Lemon (San Joaquin County)
Herbal: Calivirgin Rustic Rosemary (San Joaquin County)
“Despite a challenging 2020 harvest due to worker shortages caused by COVID-19 restrictions and an extremely hot and dry year in California, we could not be more pleased with the showing of these amazing olive oil producers,” said Stacy Rianda, Deputy Manager II at The Big Fresno Fair. “It’s such an exciting feeling to bring back the San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition that recognizes and rewards some of the best olive oil producers throughout California.”
Gold Medal and Best of Show winners will have the opportunity to have a booth in the Wells Fargo Agriculture Building on one day during a weekend at the 2021 Big Fresno Fair or have a booth at the Fair’s Beer and Wine Festival on Saturday, Oct. 9. At either location, they will have the opportunity to display and sell their award-winning product. Additionally, educational information will be set up so that Fairgoers can learn more about the art of making olive oil, its health benefits, recipes and more.
Details about the 2022 SJVOOC and its entry application will be posted in February 2022.
The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fourth largest fair in the state of California and represents the 21st District Agricultural Association. More than 600,000 people from throughout the State visit The Big Fresno Fair each year making it the largest event in the Central Valley. After a modified, drive-thru event in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Big Fresno Fair will return for 12 days of fun and entertainment, Oct. 6 through 17.
