Olevano Olive Oil Wins ‘Best of Class’ and Gold Medals at New York International Olive Oil Competition
Delaware-owned Olevano Importers, LLC, competed with 702 olive oils from 22 countries in the New York International Olive Oil Competition (nyoliveoil.com) in April, taking home three top honors. For the fiercely contested “blended” Category, Olevano’s “delicato” earned both the Best of Class Award and a Gold Medal. In the Robust Blend Category, Olevano’s “fruttato intenso” extra virgin olive oil was also awarded a Gold Medal.
Under the leadership of chief judge Dr. Gino Celletti, the distinguished panel of sixteen olive oil judges from ten countries blind tasted the oils. They ultimately awarded sixteen Best of Class Awards; about twenty percent of the entries received Gold Medals.
“We’ve been talking with the family back in Olevano sul Tusciano, and many toasts have been made thanks to these awards,” says co-owner Tom DelleDonne. “Here in the U.S., our customers buy the delicato blend of Olevano First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but folks back in Italy get to enjoy both varieties that won awards.”
Al Fierro, co-owner, adds: “It is satisfying to see that the commitment and passion we have toward producing and offering only the finest olive oil has been rewarded on the international level. We are very proud that our dear Olevano is in the spotlight. My grandfather probably never could have imagined his move to Wilmington, Delaware would one day effect an international award for olive oil.”
Olevano is highly regarded by other critics: the extra virgin olive oil has received QVC’s coveted “customer top rated” designation, and was one of five items selected to compete in the Best Cooking Staple category as part of QVC’s 2012 Customer Choice Food Awards.
Olevano offers their products on their own website, www.olevano.com. It is also available through QVC TV and QVC.com , many local outlets and fine specialty stores throughout the United States.
For more information about Olevano, visit www.olevano.com.
About Olevano
In 2003, Tom DelleDonne and Al Fierro, two local Wilmingtonians with ties to Olevano sul Tusciano, began producing and importing Olevano olive oil along with their cousins in Italy. Olevano Importers, LLC, is the exclusive US agent for this fine, first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil from the rolling hills of Olevano sul Tusciano in the Campania region of Italy. Volcanic soil, natural irrigation unique to the mountainous terrain of Southern Italy, and a sub-tropical climate combine to make the perfect environment for producing incomparably exquisite olives. Their investment in the Olevano frantoio (olive mill) has transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility powered solely by solar energy. Olevano Olive Oil, which decades ago relied on donkeys to transport olives from the mountainous terrain and turn the granite presses, is still hand-picked from centuries-old trees that trace their roots back to the 6th century B.C. Within three hours of harvest, the olives are pressed—no heat or chemical treatments applied at all—hence the label “first cold-press,” and an acidity level as low as 0.22%. In 2008, the company began producing the Olevano Olive Skincare line of soaps, creams and lotions all made with olive leaf extract or Olevano olive oil.
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