San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition

Officials with the Big Fresno Fair announced results of the 11th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC) and two familiar Madera County producers were among the winners.

The competition is open to all olive oil producers in California with products made from their 2025 olive harvest. Organizers said they received a total of 70 entries from 20 different olive oil producers throughout the state.

Entries were received in two categories: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Flavored Olive Oil, with 10 classes in total. Gold and Silver Medals were awarded, as well as an overall “Best of Show” and “Best of the Valley” selected from all of the highest scoring gold medal entries in both categories.

In total, there were 51 EVOO and 19 Flavored Olive Oil entries that were entered for judging.

Best of the Valley

“Best of the Valley” was awarded to the oils that scored the highest overall with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley (Madera, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties) across both EVOO and Flavored Olive Oil divisions.

Rosenthal Olive Ranch’s Koroneiki, an EVOO, and ENZO Olive Oil Company’s Organic Basil Crush, a flavored olive oil, were deemed “Best of the Valley.”

Rosenthal is a fourth generation farming family with two varietals including a Spanish olive (Arbosana) and a Greek olive (Koroneiki).

ENZO is a fourth generation family farm with property in Madera and Fresno Counties run by the Ricchuiti family, originally from Italy.

Bringing home the gold

Gold Medals were awarded to olive oils that demonstrate their type and/ or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals were awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 – 100 points.

ENZO’s Organic EVOO Delicate and their Organic EVOO Medium were awarded Gold Medals in the Spanish Blends category. Rosenthal was awarded a Gold Medal for their Arbosana in the same category.

In the Other Singles category for EVOO, ENZO’s Organic EVOO Bold and Rosenthal’s Koroneiki were awarded Gold Medals.

ENZO took home a trio of Gold Medals in the Flavored Olive Oils category. They won for Citrus with their Organic Eureka Lemon Crush, for Herbal with their Organic Basil Crush and for Pepper with their Organic Fresno Chili Crush.

Their Organic Meyer Lemon received a Silver Medal in the Citrus category and a Silver Medal in the Garlic category with ENZO Olive Oil Co. Organic Garlic .

Silver Medals were awarded to olive oils reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety and for an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals were awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76 – 85.99 points.

For a full list of winners visit www.fresnofair.com/p/getconnected/olive-oil-competition.

All winners will be on display during the 2026 Big Fresno Fair (October 7 – 18) in the Agriculture Building with educational information on the art of making olive oil and its health benefits.

Gold Medal, Best of Show and Best of the Valley winners will have the opportunity to have a booth in the Agriculture Building during the fair.