Italian Producers and Agricultural Students Recognized at Ercole Olivario Awards

The 34th edition of Ercole Olivario concluded with an award ceremony held on April 22 at the Teatro del Pavone in Umbria.

Promoted by the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce for Industry, Handicraft and Agriculture (Unioncamere), in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Umbria, the historic competition dedicated to Italy’s best extra virgin olive oil has become a benchmark for producers across the country.

During the event, presented by Federico Sisti, secretary general of the Umbria Chamber of Commerce, and journalist Fabiola Pulieri, a dozen trophies were awarded to the winners. The prizes are miniature replicas of the 2nd-century B.C. temple of Hercules Olivarius in Rome, from which the competition takes its name.

Special prizes were also presented to seven companies recognized for work in oleotourism, digital communication and packaging.

“Ercole Olivario has become a true system-wide project aimed at highlighting olive oil as an expression of culture, identity and collective heritage,” said Giorgio Mencaroni, chair of the competition’s coordination committee.

“Through a comprehensive program of promotional and training activities, it involves multiple stakeholders and extends beyond the event, giving producers year-round visibility,” he added.

Lazio and Puglia were the most awarded regions, each earning three accolades, followed by Tuscany with two and Umbria, Sicily, Abruzzo and Veneto with one each.

Half of the award-winning oils were certified under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) schemes. The entries were evaluated by a panel of 16 experienced tasters from the competing regions.

A distinguishing feature of Ercole Olivario is its preliminary regional selection process. More than 100 finalists admitted to the national competition were first chosen by regional tasting panels.

In some regions, these preliminary rounds have evolved into established competitions of their own. Among them is the Premio Roma Evo, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Rome and now in its 33rd edition.

After ranking first in the Sabina PDO Light Fruity category at the regional competition, Azienda Agricola Marcoaldi Roberta went on to win the top honor in the PDO/PGI Light Fruity category at the national finals.

Located between Rome and Rieti, the Marcoaldi farm cultivates Frantoio and Leccino, alongside the native varieties Carboncella and Salviana, on the rolling Sabina hills.

“This award is a major achievement, especially because the season was very challenging and we had to pay particular attention to olive fly and climate issues. Nonetheless, we managed to harvest healthy olives and obtain a top-quality product,” co-owner Antonio Mancini told Olive Oil Times. “The satisfaction is even greater because this is just the second year we are participating in the competition. We dedicate this award to all the people who support us and to our wonderful territory of Montelibretti.”

Over time, the organizers have expanded Ercole Olivario to include side competitions that highlight different aspects of the olive oil sector. The fifth edition of the Goccia d’Ercole award recognized small-scale producers, while ExtraCuoca focused on women chefs and dishes prepared with olive oil. Another section was dedicated to table olives.

This year, organizers also launched “Future,” an award recognizing the best olive oils produced by high school students within the RENISA network, which includes nearly 300 agricultural schools across Italy.

RENISA aims to provide students with the skills and experience needed in the olive oil sector while creating opportunities for dialogue with technicians and businesses.

The winners of Ercole Olivario Future were Olio dei Miracoli by the “R. Lotti – Umberto I” Agricultural Technical Institute in Andria, followed by Olio Gigante from the “Basile Caramia – Gigante” Agricultural and Hospitality Management Institute in Locorotondo and Olio Momena from the “E. Majorana” Institute in Corigliano Rossano.

“The award-winning olive oil is sourced from our two-hectare Coratina grove,” Cataldo Tandoi, director of the farm at the R. Lotti – Umberto I Institute, told Olive Oil Times.

“Part of the plot is composed of centuries-old olive trees retaining a traditional planting layout, while another portion is an experimental, semi-intensive orchard,” he added. “We have also recently adopted 30 monumental olive groves on public land.”

Tandoi said the institute works with a mill managed by one of its former students and equipped with modern technology.

“When I returned from the event in Perugia, where I received the award on behalf of all the students, they welcomed me back with great joy and satisfaction,” he said. “I believe it is crucial to invest in these students, who are the future of agriculture.”

A complete list of the 2025 Ercole Olivario winners is available on the organization’s website and social media pages.