Early Harvest Yields Gold for Central Coast Family Farm

California producer Central Coast Family Farm won a Gold Award at the world's largest olive oil quality contest.

The 2023 growing season was a challenge because of our changing weather, and everything is so connected to it... We hope our customers enjoy their oil.

Karen Grosswendt, co-owner

The company earned its debut recognition at the 2024 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for a medium-intensity Arbequina.

Co-owner Karen Grosswendt described winning the award as validating the family's hard work. "It is a wonderful acknowledgment," she said.

Central Coast Family Farm produces its award-winning extra virgin olive oil from 420 trees at the base of the Santa Lucia mountains in central California.

"The 2023 growing season was a challenge because of our changing weather, and everything is so connected to it: soil, water and nutrient uptake by trees, ripening of the olive fruit, etc.," Grosswendt said.

"At the end of the season, we had threatening cold weather push us to harvest to avoid frost damage," she added. "We hope our customers enjoy their oil."

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is the world's preeminent olive oil quality contest. Its annual list of award winners is the authoritative guide to the world's best olive oils and the dedicated producers who craft them.

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