(SACRAMENTO, CA) – As California’s extra virgin olive oil becomes one of state's fastest growing agricultural industries, the California State Fair awards the best olive oils in the Golden State in the CA State Fair Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.
This year, our expert judges were led by Orietta Gianjorio who is an internationally certified sensory evaluator of olive oil and former member of the UC Davis and California Olive Oil Council tasting panels. Together, the judges analyzed and evaluated 189 of the best olive oils grown, processed and bottled right here in California.
“The purpose of this competition is to promote quality, and find olive oil made with passion and integrity,” said Gianjorio. “I am pleased with the level of professionalism and expertise, as well as the number of outstanding oils we tasted. This really is the Best of California!”
Double Gold, Gold, Silver & Bronze awards are given based on individual merit. Best of Show, Best of Class and Best of California Awards are given by comparison tasting among eligible entries of 94 points or higher.
The 2018 Top California State Fair Olive Oil Competition winners are:
Best of Show for Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Wild Groves Robust Blend of Newcastle
Best of Show for Flavored Olive Oil: Sciabica’s California Olive Oil for Basil flavored
Double Gold (99 points) Frate Sole Olive Oil’s Tuscan Blend
Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Microproducer: Ciarlo Fruit & Nut’s The “Hood”
Best of California Artisan Producer Frate Sole Olive Oil Tuscan Blend
Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Large Producer: Wild Groves Robust Blend
You can find the complete list of winners at castatefair.org/california-commercial-extra-virgin-olive-oil/.
The top extra virgin olive oil competition winners will be acknowledged on Thursday, June 21, on the west steps of the Capitol. Later that evening, the winning producers will sample their oils at the Best of California Tasting event at Cal Expo, held prior to the California State Fair Gala benefiting The Friends of the State Fair. You can find more information about the Best of California Tasting Event at CA.org/gala.
The olive oil competition winners will also be presenting during the CA State Fair Taste of California Experience Classes July 13- 29th. Fair guests can learn how to taste, pair, and use the best California olive oils during these classes taught by olive oil experts. Registration for these classes begin in May at CA.org.
For interviews with the winners of the CA State Fair Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, contact the Media Center at 916-263-3108.
About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology and the diversity of its people, traditions and trends that shape the Golden State's future. We invite you to join us for the 165th California State Fair, July 13-29, 2018. ###
