Every year, the South African olive industry pauses to celebrate its finest producers at the SA Olive Awards. This prestigious competition is the ultimate showcase for locally crafted Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), and in 2025 the ceremony will take place on 9 September at the elegant Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate in Wellington.

How Producers Enter
Participation in the awards is open to all registered South African olive oil producers. To qualify, oils must be 100% locally produced and submitted from the current harvest season. Each entry undergoes a rigorous blind tasting process by a panel of trained and accredited judges. Their focus is on balance, aroma, flavour, and overall excellence.

Categories and Recognition
Unlike some competitions that rank oils by price or packaging, the SA Olive Awards are all about quality in the bottle. Oils are judged within three style categories:

• Delicate
• Medium
• Intense

Within these, medals of Gold, Silver, and Bronze are awarded. A Gold Medal is the ultimate mark of local quality, signifying a world-class EVOO. From these top scorers, the competition also feeds into the prestigious Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards, which crown South Africa’s very best oils each year.

Beyond the oils themselves, the SA Olive Awards sometimes extend recognition to people who have shaped the industry, such as with Agri-Worker of the Year or Lifetime Achievement acknowledgements.

A Rich History
The 2025 edition will mark the 20th year of the SA Olive Awards. Over two decades, the competition has not only rewarded excellence but also helped elevate South Africa’s olive oil reputation internationally. Today, local oils regularly stand shoulder to shoulder with global leaders from Italy, Spain, and Australia.

Why It Matters
For producers, a medal is more than prestige, it’s a powerful tool for export, marketing, and consumer trust. For everyday South Africans, the awards are a reminder that world-class EVOO can be found close to home, in bottles proudly bearing the SA Olive seal of quality.

This year’s move to Wellington’s Diemersfontein Estate sets the stage for another celebration of passion, innovation, and the artistry behind every drop of golden oil.