A SOUTH Australian olive grove has stood head and shoulders above groves twice and three times its size by taking out several key awards at the 2021 Australian International Olive Awards.
Glynde-based Rio Vista Olives won awards for best in show, best Greek varietal and best South Australian extra virgin olive oil at the 2021 Australian International Olive Awards announced in October.
The business's Elisi Grove Kalamata won best EVOO of show commercial volume, while its Elisi Grove Kalamata took out the champion Greek varietal EVOO.
These awards were accompanied by its trophy for the best EVOO from South Australia.
Rio Vista Olives director Jared Bettio said the recognition was something the entire state should be proud of.
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"To have our Elisi Grove Kalamata stand out with a massive 95/100 and win best in show for commercial extra virgin olive oil, against strong dominating producers from the eastern states, has been a fantastic win for agricultural businesses within South Australia," Mr Bettio said.
"South Australian extra virgin olive oil is leading the way with premium olive oil offerings and putting the state on the map as a premium food choice for consumers.
"Best in show rarely goes to a mono-cultivar Kalamata extra virgin olive oil because it is gentle and mild in nature.
"We turned this on its head by creating a delicious, rich, vibrant single variety Kalamata oil that has the judges standing up in attention."
The recent trophies will be added to the increasingly bulging display cabinet for Rio Vista. The pool of awards won in the past few months includes 11 gold medals and 30 silver, plus various champion oil awards.
In the Golden Olive Awards it took out the best in class - small volume category for its Koroneiki (single variety EVOO), plus gold medals for its Koroneiki and Chilli Pressed Olive Oil.
At the Royal Adelaide Olive Awards, the grove achieved gold medals for its Chilli Pressed Olive Oil and Basil Pressed Olive Oil.
It also claimed silver medals for its Signore, Koroneiki, Gigi and Lemon Pressed Olive Oil.
"Being the most awarded olive oil producer for the last two years is an honour and a testament to our drive to continually push the benchmark of Australian made olive oils. It's great for us, but just as importantly, it's great for South Australia," he said.
SA flavoured oils conquering awards
A SOUTH Australian-produced chilli-infused olive oil has become an awards steamroller in the olive industry.
Rio Vista's Chilli Pressed Olive Oil secured the Champion Flavoured Oil at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show in November.
It comes on the back of the same product also winning gold medals at the Australian International Olive Awards, the Golden Olive Awards and the Royal Adelaide Olive Awards.
On top of this, Rio Vista took out Champion Blended Extra Virgin Olive Oil for its Premium Reserve Series Gigi Extra Virgin Olive Oil at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
Grove director Jared Bettio said for Gigi (named after his father) Extra Virgin Olive Oil to rise to the top was a fantastic win for the whole food industry in South Australia.
The grove also won gold for its Basil Pressed Olive Oil.
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