Sv. Bartolome Wins Gold Award for Oblica and Krvavica Blend

Croatia's Sv. Bartolomej has earned its debut award at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's largest olive oil quality contest.

The Dalmatian producer earned a Gold Award for an organic medium blend of Oblica and Krvavica olives. The expert panel of judges said the oil features tasting sensations of fig leaf, green pepper, pepper, olive leaf and mint.

Owner Milan Vlahov said winning the award felt great and attributed the privileged location of his olives groves – where Dalmatia's continental and coastal climates meet – to his premier success at the NYIOOC.

In the 2022/23 crop year, he produced 5,000 liters of extra virgin olive oil using traditional methods. "This year's harvest was ideal," Vlahov said. "We had a lot of sun and rain when it was most needed; there were no olive flies or other diseases. Good luck was on our side."

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, held each spring in New York, is the world's 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.