Valmore Win With Nocellara del Belice at World Competition

Valmore from Italy has won a Silver Award at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

We were waiting to hear the jury, but we sensed the delicate floral bouquet in our oil and we knew there was something new. We are proud that we have reached such a prestigious goal.

Nicolò Asta, owner

Situated in olive oil-soaked Sicily, the family producer earned its third NYIOOC award for a medium Nocellara del Belice.

"We were waiting to hear the jury, but we sensed the delicate floral bouquet in our oil and we knew there was something new," owner Nicolò Asta said.

"Despite the difficulties, we know that everyone worked to produce this oil, so we are proud that we have reached such a prestigious goal. It strengthens us and lightens the soul," he added.

In the 2021/22 crop year, the company produced 2,500 liters of extra virgin olive oil using traditional methods.

Asta added that the award is even more gratifying after heavy rain and some flooding complicated their harvest.

"This year the Valmore harvest was quite challenging on the farm due to a strong flood," he said. "At the beginning of October, we had just cut the grass in the olive grove and the olives were very green and fleshy."

"We thought we had a few more weeks to start the harvest, but the rains complicated everything and we literally had to collect the olives on the marshy grounds," Asta added.

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.