Azienda Agricola 500 Makes It 4 in a Row at NYIOOC World

Italian producer Azienda Agricola 500 has won 2 Gold Awards at the 2020 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

It is the best reward for all the hard work and passion we put into producing our olive oils.

Roberto Arnetoli, co-owner, Azienda Agricola 500.

The win makes four years running that the producer has taken home two Gold Awards for its 500 M medium blend and its 500 C robust blend. The company produces extra virgin olive oil in Toscana from Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo, and Morchiaio olives using traditional methods.

The company faced adverse weather conditions in 2019, which turned harvest timing into a guessing game, company co-owner Roberto Arnetoli said after receiving news of the award.

We reached harvest time after a very cold spring and an extremely hot summer, which significantly impacted the quantity of suitable olives.

Roberto Arnetoli.

"The 2019 harvest was really difficult," Arnetoli said. We reached harvest time after a very cold spring and an extremely hot summer, which significantly impacted the quantity of suitable olives. For the this reason it was also very challenging to decide on the right harvesting time."

Arnetoli said the challenges made the win unexpected.

"Given the challenging 2019 we are surprised, but also ecstatic! For a little producer like us, it means everything. It is the best reward for all the hard work and passion we put into producing our olive oils," he said.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, held each spring in New York, is the world's largest and most prestigious olive oil contest and 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 Index of the World's Best Olive Oils