1-30-08
Media Contacts:
Wendy Patterson (909) 865-4264

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL COMPETITION ANNOUNCES 2007 WINNERS

On May 15-17, 2007, judges from around the world tasted 396 oils from 274 producers at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition at Fairplex. They awarded 7 Best of Show, 12 Best of Class, 91 Gold Medal, 144 Silver Medal and 70 Bronze Medal Awards.

Extra virgin olive oils from around the world earned top spots in the competition: The best extra virgin olive oil – domestic delicate went to Savor Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Arbequina, Central Coast. The best extra virgin olive oil – domestic medium was awarded to Clos Pepe Estate, Central Coast Blends, Santa Rita Hills. The best extra virgin olive oil – domestic robust went to Pasolivo, Central Coast Blends, Paso Robles. The best extra virgin olive oil – international delicate to Mas Des Bories Salon de Provence, France: best extra virgin olive oil – international medium to Oleo De La Marchia Central Italy, Ancona, Marche; best extra virgin olive oil – international robust Frantoi Celletti & Cultivar – Bosana Italy, Islands, Sardegna; best flavored olive oil Pasolivo, Tangerine.

The publicity value of winning an award at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition is hard to overstate, claimed Wes Hagen, of Clos Pepe Estate, in Santa Rita Hills, California. His domestic extra virgin olive oil won Best in Class and a Gold medal. “For a producer like us, with just 100 or so bottles, [winning the award] was a coup,” said Hagen. “It took us from an obscure olive oil from a semi-famous vineyard to a commodity you would step over your grandmother to get.

“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 2008 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition takes place May 27-29, at Fairplex, running concurrently with the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, May 28-30. The competition is judged in two categories – domestic and international –separated according to regional designations and fruitiness intensity levels. The competition also judges flavored olive oils. For more information, visit www.lawoliveoilcomp.com, www.lawinecomp.com or www.fairplex.com.