California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: SJVOOC

  • ENZO & Olivaia’s OLA Win Big at San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition

    After extensive judging of quality California-produced olive oils, The Big Fresno Fair is excited to reveal the 9th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC) winners. This competition, which is open to all olive oil producers in California with products made from their 2023 olive harvest, received a total of 54 entries from 20 different olive oil producers from 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 41 EVOO and 13 Flavored Olive Oil entries that were entered for judging. The winners of the 9th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition are as follows with the counties of ranch locations noted in parenthesis:

    Best of Show

    Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) – EVOO
    ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Fresno Chili Crush (Fresno County) – Flavored Olive Oil
    Best of the Valley
    Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) – EVOO

    Extra Virgin Olive Oils

    • Gold Medal Winners
      • Spanish Blends: Joseph Gallo Farms JG Family Estate (Merced County), Olivaia’s OLA Block x Super Blend (Tulare County) – EVOO
      • Spanish Singles: Cobram Estates Everyday Essentials Mild (Yolo County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Delicate (Fresno County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Medium (Fresno County), Golden Harvest Estates Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Calaveras County), Olivaia’s OLA Estate Sevillano (Tulare County), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Arbequina (Monterey County)
      • Italian Blends: Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Estate Blend (Monterey County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Eleganza Elite (San Luis Obispo County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Fantastico (San Luis Obispo County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Magnifico (San Luis Obispo County), Tres Osos Olive Oil Robust (Monterey County)
      • Italian Singles: Sutter Buttes Natural Organic Coratina (Sutter County)
      • Other Blends: Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)Silver Medal Winners:
          • Spanish Blends: California Olive Ranch’s 100% CA EVOO (Glenn County), California Olive Ranch Miller’s Blend (Glenn County), Corto Olive Oil Truly (San Joaquin County)
          • Spanish Singles: California Olive Ranch Reserve Arbequina (Glenn County), California Olive Ranch Reserve Arbosana (Glenn County), Mangini Ranch Olive Oil Picual Reserve (Calaveras County), Olive Crush Farms Arbequina (Calaveras County)
          • Italian Blends: Regency Olive Ranch Robust (Santa Barbara County)
          • Italian Singles: La Torre Olive Oil Ascolano (Tulare County)
          • Other Singles: ENZO Olive Oil Company Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Bold (Fresno County)

        Flavored Olive Oils

        • Gold Medal Winners
          • Citrus: ENZO Olive Oil Organic Eureka Lemon Crush (Fresno County), ENZO Olive Oil Organic Clementine Crush Olive Oil (Fresno County), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Orange Infused Olive Oil (Monterey County)
          • Herbal: Corto Olive Co. Lemongrass & Basil Olive Oil (San Joaquin County)
          • Pepper: Corto Olive Co. Calabrian Chili (San Joaquin County), ENZO Olive Oil Company Organize Fresno Chili Crush (Fresno County), Sutter Buttes Citrus Habanero (Sutter County)
        • Silver Medal Winners
          • Citrus: Sutter Buttes Natural Meyer Lemon (Sutter County)
          • Herbal: ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Basil Crush (Fresno County)
          • Other: Sutter Buttes Garlic Herb Olive Oil (Sutter County)

          All winners will be on display 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 2024 Big Fresno Fair.

          Participants in the 2024 SJVOOC were evaluated and scored on the following criteria:

        • Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrated its 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.
        • Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals were awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76 – 85 points.
        • Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall.
        • Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley. Medals were awarded for both EVOO and flavored oils. (Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties eligible)

        Details and the 2025 SJVOOC entry application will be posted in February 2025.

        About The Big Fresno Fair:

        The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the 5th largest fair in the state of California and represents the 21st District Agricultural Association. Over 500,000 people from throughout the state visit The Big Fresno Fair each year, making it the largest annual event in the Central Valley. Members of the Board of Directors include: Terry Gonsalves, President; Gary Chahil, Vice President; Frank Flores, Secretary/Treasurer; Linda Mae Balakian Hunsucker; Jerry Pacheco; Annalisa Perea, Chuck Riojas and Lawrence Salinas. The 2024 Big Fresno Fair will run October 2 – 14. For more details, please visit www.FresnoFair.com.

  • Big Fresno Fair’s Seventh Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition Is Now Underway

    Entries are now being accepted for the 7th annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC); Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil entries from commercial producers in the State of California are eligible and olive oil must be made from producers’ most recent olive harvest. Deadline for entries is March 25, 2022.

    “The San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition continues to draw in the best of olive oil producers from throughout California – and we are honored to continue to showcase and recognize them – especially those from the Valley with our special ‘Best of the Valley’ award,” said Stacy Rianda, Deputy Manager of The Big Fresno Fair.

    Participating producers must enter their harvest into one of two different classes: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil. Competition categories in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil class include: Spanish Blends (arbequina, arbosana, etc.); Spanish Singles; Italian Blends (ascolano, etc.); Italian Singles; Other Blends (picholine, barouni, etc.); Other Singles. Competition categories in the Flavored Olive Oil class include: Citrus; Herbal (rosemary; basil, etc.); Pepper (chile, jalapeno, habanero, etc.); and Other Flavors (garlic, truffle etc.).

    Awards will be given out for Gold and Silver medals in each category, as well as one overall “Best of Show” in both the Extra Virgin Olive Oil category, Flavored Oil category and the “Best of the Valley” award. Judging will be evaluated and scored as follows:

    • Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrates its type and/or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 – 100 points.
    • Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76- 85.99 points.
    • Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall. All Gold Medal winners are eligible to compete for Best of Show in their division.
    • Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley. Medals will be awarded for both EVOO and flavored oils. (Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties eligible)

    Producers may submit multiple entries under one category but may not submit a particular entry to more than one category. All entries must be available for commercial sale at the time of entry. Entries are due by March 25, 2022. Judging will be held on April 6, 2022 and winners will be announced on April 14, 2022 by 5:00 p.m.

    Gold Medal, Best of the Valley and Best of Show winners will all have the opportunity to have a booth in the Wells Fargo Agricultural Building on one day during the 2022 Big Fresno Fair where they can taste, display and sell their award-winning product. Additionally, educational information will be set up so that Fairgoers can learn more about the art of making olive oil, its health benefits and more.

    Each submission must include an entry form, at least two 250 ml bottles of the olive oil with retail labels attached and a $60 non-refundable fee per entry. Each entry must also contain a third-party chemical analysis in order to verify extra virgin status. Entries can be dropped off at The Big Fresno Fair Administration Office or can be shipped to SJVOOC – The Big Fresno Fair, 1121 S. Chance Ave. Fresno, CA 93702 no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 25, 2022. Any entry delivered by mail, freight or express must be prepaid. The Administration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for drop offs.

    Last year, 55 entries from all throughout California were received. Below is a list of the Gold Medal Winners and Best of Show. For a complete 2021 winners list, go to: www.FresnoFair.com/SJVOOC.

    Best Of Show

    The Olive Press Sevillano (Sonoma and Yolo County)

     

    Best of Show Flavored

    Calivirgin Serrano (San Joaquin County)

     

    Best of the Valley

    Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)

     

    Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO)
    Gold Medal Winners

    • Spanish Blends
      Barton Olive Oil Co. EVOO (San Luis Obispo County)
    • Spanish Singles
      Olive Crush Farms Arbequina (Calaveras County), Rosenthal Ranches Arbosana (Madera County), California Olive Ranch Arbosana (Glenn County), The Olive Press Sevillano (Sonoma and Yolo County), The Olive Press Picual (Sonoma and Yolo County), The Olive Press Arbosana (Sonoma and Yolo County), Organic Roots Arbequina (Glenn County), Calivirgin Premium EVOO (San Joaquin County), Mountain Springs Olive Ranch Arbequina (San Luis Obispo County), Corto Olive Co. Truly Arbosana (San Joaquin County)
    • Italian Blends
      Tres Osos Robust (Monterey County), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Eleganza Elite (San Luis Obispo)
    • Italian Singles:

    Tres Osos Taggiasca (Monterey County)

    • Other Blends:

    Rancho Azul y Oro Estate (Monterey County), Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Tulare County)

    • Other Singles
      Mangini Ranch Mission (Calaveras County), Mountain Springs Olive Ranch Koroneiki (San Luis Obispo County)

     

    Flavored Olive Oils
    Gold Medal Winners

    • Pepper:

    Calivirgin Serrano (San Joaquin County), Calivirgin Habanero (San Joaquin County)

    • Citrus:

    Enzo Organic Eureka Lemon Crush (Madera County), ENZO Organic Clementine Crush (Madera County)

    • Herbal:

    Calivirgin Bountiful Basil (San Joaquin County)

    For more information about the San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC), including downloadable entry forms and deadlines, please visit www.FresnoFair.com/SJVOOC, email questions to srianda@fresnofair.com or call The Big Fresno Fair office at (559) 650-FAIR.

    About The Big Fresno Fair:

    The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fourth largest fair in the state of California and represents the 21st District Agricultural Association. More than 600,000 people from throughout the State visit The Big Fresno Fair each year making it the largest annual event in the Central Valley. Members of the Board of Directors include: Chuck Riojas, President; Terry Gonsalves, Vice President; Gary Chahil, Secretary/Treasurer; Linda Mae Balakian Hunsucker; Frank Flores; Jerry Pacheco; Annalisa Perea; Larry Serpa; and Lawrence Salinas. Deputy Managers, Stacy Rianda and Lauri King oversee the daily operations of the Fair. The 2022 Big Fresno Fair will run October 5-16. For more information about The Big Fresno Fair, please visit www.FresnoFair.com.