Grupo Ilves Triumphs at World Competition

The southern Spanish producer, Grupo Ilves, has won a Silver Award at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

For us as young oil producers, this award is very important. We greatly appreciate the feedback and recognition, as it gives us confidence that we are on the right track.

Marcos Cortes, marketing manager

Situated in Montes de Málaga, in southern Andalusia, the producer earned the award for its Hacienda el Lince Especial brand, an organic medium blend of Hojiblanca and Picuda olives.

"For us as young oil producers, this award is very important," said Marcos Cortes, the company's marketing manager. "We greatly appreciate the feedback and recognition, as it gives us confidence that we are on the right track. Also, it definitely helps us sell and promote the oil."

In the 2021/22 crop year, the company produced 2,800 liters of extra virgin olive oil using traditional methods.

"This season was arid in Montes de Malaga," Cortes said. "The olives dried quickly and the amount of oil was also lower."

While the first known olive growing activities at the hacienda date back to the 17th century, Grupo Ilves has only owned the land for three years. Cortes said the producer has put in plenty of effort to restore the estate's centuries-old groves.

"We have owned Hacienda el Lince since 2019, and because for quite a long time before we took over, the olive trees had not been adequately cared for, we have spent a lot of time and energy bringing the trees back to their former glory," 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. 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.