Kiler Ridge Olive Farm Triumphant in NYIOOC Debut

Kiler Ridge Olive Farm from the United States has won two Gold Awards in its debut at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.

The California-based producer earned its accolades for a medium Tuscan blend and monovarietal Nocellara del Belice.

"This is the first time we have entered the NYIOOC," co-owner Audrey Burnam said. "As a family-owned and operated company that focuses on estate olive oils, we are involved in every step of the production to ensure the quality of our olive oils. We are thrilled to participate and be recognized in this prestigious international forum."

In the 2021/22 crop year, Kiler Ridge Olive Farm produced 2,750 liters of extra virgin olive oil from Frantoio, Leccino, Maurino, Pendolino and Nocellara del Belice olives using traditional methods.

The producers acknowledged that they faced several climatic and pandemic-related challenges as the harvest unfolded.

"Fruit set was lower than expected due to stormy weather during bloom," Burnham said. "Labor for hand-harvesting was constrained by pandemic conditions."

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.