The 2009 Fiesta! Olive Awards Winners

Awards the 2009 Fleurieu Peninsula Food’s Fiesta! Olive Awards celebrate the region’s premium olives and oils. A regional competition seeking local varietal characters in extra virgin olive oils and table olives.

And the Winners are….

Hugo wins Best of Show Olive Oil (again!) for their premium extra virgin olive oil, pressed from one of McLaren Vale’s oldest varieties, Verdale.

Brians Gourmet Olives took out Best of Show Table Olives, this year for Brian’s Olivemite, a delicious olive paste.

Awards Designer and Chief Judge Zannie Flanagan says the awards recognise and promote our local food culture: “the distinctive local food culture that has grown out of the region’s physical and human attributes and activities is what gives our region its unique Fleurieu flavour.”

David Swain of Fino Restaurant is a passionate chef that champions the use of our local quality olive oils, in 2009 he joined the judging panel and says: “The line up of oils were of good to high quality across the board with two standout oils that received gold medals – Hugo and Diana Extra Virgin of McLaren Vale”

Farmers Markets celebrate regional flavour presenting Punters’ Pick!

At both Willunga Farmers Market and Victor Harbor Farmers Market the people’s choice went to ...

Magpie Gully Olives extra virgin olive oil pressed from the Manzanillo variety.

The winners were announced at the Awards ceremony held at Producers of McLaren Vale on Saturday 7 November 2009. Guests enjoyed a showcase of the finest Fleurieu oils and table olives along with Mediterranean dishes featuring Farmers Market ingredients.

Chair of Fleurieu Peninsula Food Rachel McMillan says:

“Since 2004, every October we hold Fiesta! celebrations around the release of the region’s New Seasons’ Extra Virgin Olive Oils and our local food. This year’s Olive Awards were a great showcase of high quality olive oils.”

2009 Schedule of Awards and Classes

FLEURIEU PENINSULA EVOO VARIETAL CHALLENGE

100% of a single variety Fleurieu Peninsula grown and processed from bulk or bottled stock over 200 litres from the 2004 harvest.
Class 1  –  Corregiolo, Frantoio, Mediterranean, Paragon
Class 2  –  Koroneiki
Class 3  –  Leccini
Class 4  –  Verdale
Class 5  –  Any other variety

FLEURIEU PENINSULA EVOO REGIONAL CHALLENGE
Class 6
100% Fleurieu Peninsula grown, processed and branded from bottled or packaged and labelled stock, blended or varietal.

THE SMALL PRODUCER’S CLASS
Class 7
Under 200 litres total 100% Fleurieu Peninsula

NATIONAL OLIVE OIL CHALLENGE AWARD
Class 8
Blended or varietal, 100% Australian grown and processed, over 200 litres

THE EMMANUEL GIOKOMIS KALAMATA AWARD
Class 9
Awarded for the best Kalamata table olive - open to Kalamata table olive producers Australia wide.

THE AUSTRALIAN TABLE OLIVE CHALLENGE
Class 10
Awarded to a table olive of any variety, pickling method or marinade - open to table olive producers Australia wide.

OLIVE PASTE AND TAPENADE AWARD
Class 11
Commercially produced pastes and tapenades, 100% Australian olives complying with all Food Safety Regulations and labelling laws.