Deemed the second most important international contest by the independent World Ranking Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Olivinus 2015 received 304 entries from 11 olive oil-producing countries. The 24 judges, led by one of the world's foremost experts, Dr Antonio Giuseppe Lauro, granted Gran Prestige Gold medals to both the Directors' Reserve and the Estate Blend, a Prestige Gold for its lemon-flavoured olive oil and a Gold for the coriander-flavoured oil.
The strict judging panel graced only 123 of the 304 entries with medals, representing 40% of the olive oils, and Willow Creek is South Africa's only producer to make this list.
In yet another international competition Willow Creek's Directors' Reserve received Special Mention from the Sol D'Oro Southern Hemisphere. In order for olive oils produced in the same harvesting season to compete with each other on even grounds (without having to contend with oils with the advantage of being six months fresher due to being produced in the other half of the world) Sol D'Oro split the competition since 2014. During this second annual event 45 entries from four southern hemisphere countries were judged in Cape Town.
During the 10th SA Olive Awards gala dinner Willow Creek's premium Directors' Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil was honoured with Gold in the category for intense style oils - one of a mere 19 gold medals that were awarded by the judges of this authoritative competition. In addition, its Estate Blend, Nuy Valley and Food Lover's Signature claimed Silver.
"Our participation in local and international competitions is not about boosting our egos," said Andries Rabie, MD of Willow Creek, "it is all about benchmarking our olive oil against the best of the world to be able to truthfully present olive oil lovers with a consistently quality product."
Willow Creek's range of products are available at delis and retailers, including: Woolworths, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Food Lover's Market, Spar, Makro, Game, and Montague Dried Fruit & Nuts. It also has a tasting room and shop on the estate that is open to the public, as well as a nursery that sells olive trees.
For more information, go to www.willowcreek.co.za or contact Willow Creek at +27 (0) 23 342 5793 or az.oc.keercwolliw@ofni.
