Aceites Almenara Overcome Heat, Drought to Win in New York

Spanish producer Aceites Almenara has won an award at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's largest olive oil quality contest.

Winning in New York is an honor and recognition of the work of the great team at our family business.

Jose Maria Vara, CEO

Based in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain's second-largest olive oil-producing region, the company earned a Gold Award for its medium-intensity blend.

"Winning in New York is an honor and recognition of the work of the great team at our family business," chief executive Jose Maria Vara said.

In the 2022/23 crop year, the Aceites Almenara produced one million liters of extra virgin olive oil. Vara cited drought as the biggest challenge his team overcame to produce award-winning olive oil.

"The weather is a big problem in our country with high temperatures and no rain," he confirmed.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition held each spring in New York, is the world's 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 in the Official Guide to the World's Best Olive Oils.