Ekološka Kmetija Ronkaldo became the first producer from Slovenia to be awarded at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.
Three Slovenian producers have been awarded at the world’s largest olive oil quality competition from eight entries so far. Winners will continue to be announced through April.
“This is the biggest recognition so far,” Martin Adamič told Olive Oil Times. “This is our first time at the world’s most prestigious quality competition, and we’ve immediately won the Gold Award.”
See Also:World Olive Oil Competition 2023 Live UpdatesAdamič took over the management of the organic olive groves in Izola, Slovenian Istria, from his father, Miran Adamič.
The elder Adamiči started growing olives in 1984. Today, the grove covers 2.9 hectares, comprising 800 olive trees in Baredi.
Adamič mainly grows the autochthonous Istrian bjelica variety, along with some Maurino, Leccino, Pendolino, Itrana, Buga, Leccio del Corno varieties for oil production and a few table olive varieties.
“Our Ronkaldo oil is Protected Designation of Origin-certified, and it is produced in a sustainable, environmentally friendly and organic way,” Adamič said.
Despite drought and extreme temperatures in July and August, Adamič said the 2022/23 crop year was still successful in terms of production quantity and quality.
“Abundant rain during September helped the olive trees to recover,” Adamič said. “There were no diseases or pests, so we harvested beautiful, flawless olive fruits.”
Adamič attributed his success at the NYIOOC to an early harvest and immediate milling of the olives after they were picked.
“We picked our Istrian bjelica olives in mid-October and processed them the same day at the Santomas oil mill from Šmarje near Koper,” he said. “We stored the oil properly, transferred it into appropriate glass bottles on time, and that’s our secret.”
Before submitting their extra virgin olive oil to the NYIOOC, Adamič had earned awards in Slovenia and Europe. However, he said winning in New York feels different.
“And since the Ronkaldo estate is also visited by buyers from the United States, the award from New York will be an additional asset for the successful sale of our products,” Adamič said.
More articles on: NYIOOC World, NYIOOC World 2023, Slovenia
Mar. 1, 2023
AI Tools May Not Transform Agriculture, but Will Help Farmers, Experts Predict
ChatGPT lacks reasoning abilities and cannot predict the future, but it may prove useful for farmers in other ways.
Oct. 26, 2023
Slovenian Producers Expect Low Harvest Due to Extreme Weather, Off-Year
With the harvest getting underway in Slovenia, expectations differ from producer to producer, but few are optimistic.
Jul. 13, 2023
Officials in Zadar County Celebrate Award-Winning Producers
Prefect Božidar Longin thanked local extra virgin olive oil, wine and cheese producers for exposing a global audience to Zadar county’s agricultural products.
Nov. 6, 2023
Making Award-Winning Olive Oil from California’s Centenary Trees
In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Guilio Zavolta and Rachelle Bross seek to promote and protect the state’s historic olive trees.
Jun. 13, 2023
Esporão Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Top Awards for Organic Olive Oils
What started as a family winery expanded into significant olive farming and oil production after a friendly challenge from an uncle to a nephew.
Dec. 30, 2022
As Croatia Joins Eurozone and Schengen, Producers Expect Positive Change
The decision to join the single currency union will reduce costs for exporters and increase foreign investment. However, it may also raise input and land prices.
Jan. 30, 2023
New Rules Govern Organic Food in the U.S.
A major upgrade to USDA rules applies to domestic organic products and organic food imports.
Aug. 2, 2023
Education Vital to Success of Turkey’s Olive Oil Sector, Award-Winning Producer Says
After winning 10 awards at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the producers behind Oliva Malia are keen to share the secrets of their success.