15 Olives Awarded for Outstanding Monovarietals

California's 15 Olives has earned two awards at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

Winning at the NYIOOC makes us smile... To place in this event not only validates our efforts with rewards but also places the 15 Olives brand on the world stage.

Stuart Alfonso, owner

The Americans won a Gold Award for their medium Coratina and a Silver Award for a delicate Frantoio, which previously won Silver in 2020 as well.

"Winning at the NYIOOC makes us smile," owner Stuart Alfonso said. "The time spent in the orchards, traveling across the U.S. to inspect and manage production is taxing on our family lives."

"To place in this event not only validates our efforts with rewards but also places the 15 Olives brand on the world stage," he added. "Winning with this fruit, because of our labor."

Alfonso attributed the success to his team's resilience in overcoming the many challenges that face olive growers in California.

"Our business model is based on the right team members that are dedicated to the standards required to produce a high-quality extra virgin olive oil," he said. "The right people working together to overcome all that Mother Nature throws at us."

"From wildfires, water concerns, and climate challenges, it truly takes a well-oiled machine to make this come to life," Alfonso added.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, held each spring in New York, is the world's largest and most prestigious olive oil contest. Its annual listing of award winners is considered the authoritative guide to the year’s best extra virgin olive oils.

The complete list of winners can be viewed on the Official Guide to the World's Best Olive Oils.