2025 Australian International Olive Awards held in Adelaide

The Australian International Olive Awards is held annually by the Australian Olive Association, drawing entries from across the country and the world to be judged on their extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), flavoured olive oils and table olives.

Judging this year was conducted by a 19-member Australian team and expert panels in Italy, New Zealand, Tunisia and China.

Event Convenor and Chief Steward Trudie Michels said exceptional olive products were offered for judging once again this year.

“There were oils with ‘green’ aromas and flavours (fresh cut grass, rocket, herbs), many had more ripe fruit characters (tomato, tropical fruits, floral notes) and some had more spiced attributes (cinnamon, malt, aniseed). Lots of complexity and harmony.

“The 2024 competition celebrated milder oils; however, this year’s competition celebrated oils that were robust with more pepper and bitterness on the palate.

“There was a good selection of flavoured oil entries this year. It was pleasing to see this year’s agrumato oils continue to provide great flavour intensity and purity on the nose and palate. All entries won gold or silver medals.

“Table olive entry numbers were solid this year and the quality and diversity are encouraging.”

And the 2025 winners are...

The winners were announced in Adelaide on 30 October, with more than 200 platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in recognition of excellence.

Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in Show, Boutique Volume, was awarded to Hannaford Olive Oil’s Corregiola and Paragon blend — a delicate oil with a polyphenol level of 87.

Hailing from the New South Wales Tablelands, Hannaford Olive Oil is a long-time award entrant. It was finally able to scoop the awards pool in 2025, with the oil also awarded Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil Southern Hemisphere, Best Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Best of State Extra Virgin Olive Oil New South Wales and Mild Extra Virgin Olive Oil Champion.

Adelaide Hills producer Rio Vista Olives took home Best EVOO of Show, Commercial Volume, for its Signore Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which also won Best of State Extra Virgin Olive Oil South Australia.

It was a good year for Rio Vista Olives, which was also awarded Champion Italian Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil for its Signore; Champion Greek Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil for its Koroneiki; and Reserve Champion Greek Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil for its Elisi Grove Kalamata.

Victoria’s Kyneton Olive Oil took home the Best Flavoured Olive Oil of Show, Commercial Volume, and Champion Agrumato Olive Oil trophies for its Chilli Agrumato, following in the footsteps of its 2024 award for Best Flavoured Olive Oil of Show, Boutique Volume.

Best Flavoured Olive Oil of Show, Boutique Volume, was awarded to South Australian producer Pendleton Olive Estate from the state’s Limestone Coast, for its Blood Orange Agrumato.

The table olive competition featured strong representation from both Australia and abroad.

Victoria’s Lisadurne Hill was awarded the Best Table Olive in Show, Boutique Volume trophy for its Kalamata olives, while Spain’s Goya en España S.A.U GOYA secured the Best Table Olive of Show, Commercial Volume trophy for its Whole Queen Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimientos.

The Spanish producer led the field of international entrants once again in 2025 — its Whole Queen Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimientos also winning Best Table Olive Northern Hemisphere and its Premium UNICO Extra Virgin Olive Oil awarded Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

At full list of award winners is available here.

Image credit: iStock.com/fcafotodigital