Markellos Olive Prevails in World Competition

Greek producer Markellos Olive has won a Silver Award for its Soligea Premium brand, a medium blend of Koroneiki and Manaki olives, at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.

"As a company, we have one goal, to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil," co-owner Nikolaos Markellos said. "Receiving an award from the NYIOOC... is very important. It gives us the strength to continue our efforts by setting new goals."

Overlooking the Saronic Gulf, in the northeastern-most corner of the Peloponnese peninsula, the company produced 150 tons in the 2021/22 crop year using traditional methods.

Despite the award and bountiful harvest, Markellos said this crop year was difficult, primarily due to climatic challenges.

"The harvest was very difficult in our region," he said. "Due to the lack of rain and the increased temperature during the summer, the production was very limited. Nevertheless, we managed to produce quality extra virgin olive oil in our olive mill."

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.