Zanotelli Awarded for an Exceptional Arbequina

Spanish producer Zanotelli has won a Silver Award at the 2021 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

I am very proud of my team. The continuous training and dedication of each employee have contributed to this wonderful achievement. The award means a lot to us and shows that we are on the right track.

Roland Zanotelli, owner

The company produces extra virgin olive oil in Catalonia from Arbequina olives using traditional harvesting methods. Zanotelli earned the Silver Award for its delicate Fontclara Arbequina brand.

"I am very proud of my team," owner Roland Zanotelli said. "The continuous training and dedication of each employee have contributed to this wonderful achievement."

"The award means a lot to us and shows that we are on the right track," he added. "To maintain or even increase our level of performance, we have purchased a new Mori press which will be delivered soon."

For the producers behind Fontclara Arbequina, the 2020 harvest was a challenging one. Erratic weather throughout the summer and autumn was one of the main challenges that Zanotelli and his team had to overcome.

"The weather went crazy, especially before the harvest," he said. "But thanks to modern irrigation systems, we were able to counteract the drought in midsummer."

"Since the degree of ripeness depends on the climate and influences the olives' taste and intensity, the timing of the harvest is one of the most important factors in the production of a superior extra virgin olive oil," Zanotelli added.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition 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 Index of the World's Best Olive Oils.