‘Sacrifices Repaid’ as Federicus II Wins for Coratina

Apulian producer Federicus II has won its first-ever award at the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

First, it's personal satisfaction with the work done. The sacrifices are repaid. Winning could mean the American dream. Find people willing to appreciate your product.

Mario Ruggiero , owner

The company earned a Gold Award at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for an organic robust Coratina monovarietal extra virgin olive oil. Mario Ruggiero, the company's owner, said the award means a lot of things to him.

"First, it's personal satisfaction with the work done," he said. "The sacrifices are repaid. Winning could mean the American dream. Find people willing to appreciate your product."

"It means bringing up the values of Mediterranean cuisine," he added. "It can mean, finding collaborators who sell your product."

In the 2021/22 crop year, Federicus II produced 3,000 liters of organic extra virgin olive oil. Aside from the harvest, Ruggiero said getting consumers to understand what it takes to craft a high-quality product is his biggest challenge.

"The most important challenge was certainly to try to get an excellent product that could meet the needs of the consumer, so have constant quality standards," he said. "Another difficulty is to deal daily with the consumer to make people understand the importance and therefore the difference in price between a quality oil and a 'different' one."

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 on the Official Guide to the World's Best Olive Oils.