The 2024 SA Olive Awards celebrated South Africa’s finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) with producers from across the country honoured for their exceptional offerings in the Delicate, Medium, and Intense categories.
This prestigious event saw 99 entries from 37 producers, all competing for top honours. The winners in each category were awarded bronze, silver, and gold medals, highlighting their commitment to quality in olive oil production. Here’s a summary of some of the winning producers and their oils:
Bronze medallists:
- Denneboom Vineyards: Denneboom Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Medium)
- Kransfontein Estate: Kransfontein Director’s Reserve (Medium)
- The Greenleaf Olive Company: Forage & Feast Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Medium)
Silver medallists:
- Babylonstoren: Babylonstoren EVOO Coratina 2024 (Medium)
- Oakhurst Olives: Oakhurst Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Special Reserve 2024 (Medium)
- Tokara: Tokara Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Delicate)
Gold medallists:
- Darling Olives (Pty) Ltd: Darling Olives EVOO (Delicate)
- De Rustica Estate: Estate Collection Arbequina (Delicate)
- Mardouw Investments ZA: Mardouw XXV Medium (Medium)
In her closing remarks, Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Association, praised the participants and sponsors, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, including the Western Cape department of agriculture, Woolworths, and Old Mutual. She also lauded celebrity chef Jenny Morris, who hosted the event with charm and joy.
Highlighting the evening was the prestigious Agri-Worker of the Year award, presented to Basil Koopman from Ouderwerfskloof. His outstanding skills and dedication earned him this accolade, along with prizes, including a cash reward and an entry to the SA Olive Introduction Olive Oil course in 2025.
As the 19th edition of the SA Olive Awards drew to a close, attention now turns to the upcoming Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards in October 2024, where the top-scoring EVOOs will be further judged to crown South Africa’s best.
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