Gold medal-winning extra virgin olive oils from the 11th annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition are displayed together. The Big Fresno Fair announced the winners May 20, with local honors going to producers in Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties. (Photo courtesy of The Big Fresno Fair)
Local producers earn top honors as competition draws 70 entries statewide
The Big Fresno Fair has announced the winners of its 11th annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition, with olive oil makers from Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties earning medals and top valley honors.
The competition, open to all California olive oil producers using products from their 2025 harvest, drew 70 entries from 20 producers statewide, according to a news release from the fair. Entries were judged in two categories — extra virgin olive oil and flavored olive oil — across 10 classes. Judges awarded gold and silver medals, along with overall “Best of Show” and “Best of the Valley” honors selected from the highest-scoring gold medal entries. The field included 51 extra virgin and 19 flavored olive oil entries.
Rosenthal Olive Ranch of Madera County won Best of the Valley in the extra virgin category for its Koroneiki. ENZO Olive Oil Company, with ranches in Fresno and Madera counties, won Best of the Valley in the flavored category for its Organic Basil Crush.
In the Best of Show category, Cobram Estate of Yolo County won for its Picual extra virgin olive oil, and Olivaia’s OLAmato of Tulare County won for its Roma Ebraica flavored olive oil.
Local gold medal winners
Among extra virgin olive oils, Fresno State earned a gold medal in Spanish blends for its Organic Miller’s Blend. ENZO Olive Oil Company earned gold medals in Spanish singles for its Organic EVOO Delicate and Organic EVOO Medium, and in other singles for its Organic EVOO Bold. Rosenthal Olive Ranch won gold in Spanish singles for its Arbosana and in other singles for its Koroneiki.
Among flavored olive oils, ENZO Olive Oil Company earned gold medals in citrus for its Organic Eureka Lemon Crush, in herbal for its Organic Basil Crush and in pepper for its Organic Fresno Chili Crush. Olivaia’s OLAmato won gold in herbal for its Roma Ebraica.
Local silver medal winners
In flavored olive oils, Fresno State Olive Oil won a silver medal in garlic for its Organic Garlic, and ENZO Olive Oil Company won silver in garlic for its Organic Garlic and in citrus for its Organic Meyer Lemon. Olivaia’s OLAmato won silver in pepper for its Roma Picante.
How entries were judged
According to the release, gold medals went to oils scoring 86 to 100 points, awarded for varietal character, balance, structure and complexity at the highest standards. Silver medals went to oils scoring 76 to 85.99 points, reflecting correct balance and character and deemed well crafted and of excellent quality.
Best of the Valley honors were open to oils from ranches or offices in Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
Winners will be displayed in the Agriculture Building with educational information on olive oil making and its health benefits, according to the release. Gold medal, Best of Show and Best of the Valley winners will have the opportunity for a booth in the building during the 2026 Big Fresno Fair.
Details and the 2027 competition entry application will be posted in February 2027.
Dining and Cooking