The publicity value of winning an award at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition is hard to overstate. “For a producer like us, with just 100 or so bottles, [winning the award] was a coup,” explained Wes Hagen, of Clos Pepe Estate, in Lompoc, California. His domestic extra virgin olive oil won Best in Class and a Gold medal. “It took us from an obscure olive oil from a semi-famous vineyard to a commodity you would step over your grandmother to get,” Hagen said. “You hope you’re making an authentic product, but when you’re recognized as we were with a best in class award, the impact is enormous. I know the quality of the judges at the competition. The fact that they like what we’re doing—I can’t stress how important that is.”

The Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition provides award winners with marketing opportunities such as free olive oil bottle labels identifying oils as medal winners and public tastings at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Marketplace, presented by Ralphs, during the Fair.