South Africa’s finest Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) were in the spotlight this week as industry leaders gathered at the 12th annual Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards, hosted at Mynhardt’s Kitchen at the KWV Cathedral Cellar in Paarl, Western Cape.
Regarded as one of the premier events on the country’s olive industry calendar, the Absa Top 10 Awards celebrate exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and innovation among local producers.
The awards process is rigorous. Only gold medal winners from the preceding SA Olive Awards qualify for this final, elite round of judging. From this pool, an expert panel conducts a meticulous blind tasting to select the ten most outstanding EVOOs, which receive the highly coveted Absa Top 10 accolade.
A winning partnership
The longevity of the awards is rooted in the strong and ongoing partnership between Absa and the SA Olive Industry Association. Now in its 12th year, this collaboration has been crucial in promoting quality, innovation, and sustainability across the sector.
Yolisa Mlungwana, regional segment head at Absa Private Banking, said Absa is proud to once again support an event that not only celebrates excellence but also helps producers forge lasting connections with retailers, distributors, and buyers.
Mlungwana highlighted the human element behind the success of the industry, noting that they have not only invested in land and equipment, but in communities and the people at the heart of it.
“After 12 years of partnership, our theme ‘Your Story Matters’ reflects the essence of the South African olive industry – one of resilience, craftsmanship, and pride. Each bottle of locally produced EVOO tells a story of passion, hard work, and connection to the land, setting a global benchmark for quality,” she said.
The 2025 Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Award winners are:
- Mardouw Investments ZA (Pty) Ltd – Mardouw Premium Delicate (Delicate)
- De Rustica Estate – De Rustica Delicate (Delicate)
- Lions Creek Estate (Pty) Ltd – Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Medium)
- Morgenster Estate – Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Medium)
- Willow Creek Products (Pty) Ltd – Estate Blend (Medium)
- Tokara – Tokara Woolworths Estate EVOO (Medium)
- Babylonstoren – Babylonstoren Coratina (Medium)
- Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm – Picual (Medium)
- Andanté Olives Porterville – Andanté Intenso (Intense)
- Rio Largo Olive Estate – Rio Largo Premium (Intense)
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Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the world-class status of local producers.
“The Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards remain the pinnacle of recognition for our local olive producers. It is a moment to celebrate the extraordinary talent, skill, and commitment that define this industry. Our producers continue to deliver world-class EVOOs that rival the best globally, and their pursuit of excellence is truly inspiring.
“We are deeply grateful to Absa for their unwavering partnership, which has been instrumental in showcasing and growing this remarkable sector,” Petersen said.
Absa reaffirmed their commitment to the olive oil industry by renewing their sponsorship for another three years. “It cements our commitment to the partnership and our commitment to the entrepreneurs that we operate with, and we really want you to thrive in this industry,” Mlungwana added.
Guests were treated to a gourmet olive-inspired lunch prepared by chef Mynhardt Joubert, featuring dishes such as black olive roosterkoek, roasted lamb with green olives, and olive oil ice cream. Each course showcased the flavour, diversity, and versatility of South African EVOOs.
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