SACRAMENTO – As California’s extra virgin olive oil becomes one of state's fastest growing agricultural industries, the California State Fair awards the best olive oils in the Golden State in the California State Fair Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.

This year, our expert judges were led by Orietta Gianjorio who is an internationally certified sensory evaluator of olive oil and former member of the UC Davis and California Olive Oil Council tasting panels.

Together, the judges analyzed and evaluated 189 of the best olive oils grown, processed and bottled right here in California.

“The purpose of this competition is to promote quality, and find olive oil made with passion and integrity,” said Gianjorio. “I am pleased with the level of professionalism and expertise, as well as the number of outstanding oils we tasted. This really is the Best of California!”

Double gold, gold, silver and bronze awards are given based on individual merit. Best of show, best of class and best of California awards are given by comparison tasting among eligible entries of 94 points or higher.

The 2018 Top California State Fair Olive Oil Competition winners are:

– Best of Show for Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Wild Groves Robust Blend of Newcastle.
– Best of Show for Flavored Olive Oil: Sciabica’s California Olive Oil for Basil flavored.
– Double Gold (99 points): Frate Sole Olive Oil’s Tuscan Blend.
– Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Microproducer: Ciarlo Fruit & Nut’s The “Hood.”
– Best of California Artisan Producer: Frate Sole Olive Oil Tuscan Blend.
– Best of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Large Producer: Wild Groves Robust Blend.

You can find the complete list of winners at http://castatefair.org/california-commercial-extra-virgin-olive-oil/ .

The top extra virgin olive oil competition winners will be acknowledged on Thursday, June 21, on the west steps of the Capitol.

Later that evening, the winning producers will sample their oils at the Best of California Tasting event at Cal Expo, held prior to the California State Fair Gala benefiting The Friends of the State Fair.

The olive oil competition winners will also be presenting during the California State Fair Taste of California Experience classes July 13 to 29. Fair guests can learn how to taste, pair and use the best California olive oils during these classes taught by olive oil experts.