By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold.
Greek Koroneiki and flavored olive oils ranked high in the EVOO World Ranking (WR) for 2024. According to its website, which recognized 498 awards for Greece, “the Best Society for EVOOWR 2024 of Greece is Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms.” Moreover, “the Best EVOO for EVOOWR 2024 of Greece is Terra Creta Grand Cru from Melissa-Kikizas S.A. – Terra Creta.”
The EVOO World Ranking is an annual ranking by the World Association of Journalists and Writers of Wines, Liquors and others (WAWWJ). It is based on extra virgin olive oils’ (EVOOs’) and flavored olive oils’ success in the international olive oil competitions selected by the WAWWJ for consideration. The WAWWJ gives award-winning olive oils different numbers of points for prizes they won in different competitions, according to the WAWWJ’s own ranking of the selected competitions.
The Best Greek Olive Oil Company for EVOOWR 2024
Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms was designated the Best Society for EVOOWR 2024 of Greece and the 12th best olive oil company in the world. All five of their extra virgin olive oils were ranked among the top 100 globally, with three among the top 10 Koroneiki variety EVOOs. In addition, as in 2023, Sakellaropoulos was the top-ranked producer of flavored olive oils worldwide.
Overall, the company was credited with 39 awards in 8 contests for their organic extra virgin and flavored olive oils from their farms in Sparta, Laconia. As the company is proud to announce, “Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms have acquired the unique number of 1,045 international awards at prestigious and renowned competitions worldwide, which is an ongoing global record of distinctions for a Greek olive producer (Single Estate & Terroir organic producer).”
Nick Sakellaropoulos emphasized that his family business’s honors highlight the position of Greece “on the global olive growing map.” This is especially true for flavored olive oil. Producing eight of the top 25 flavored olive oils in the world, according to the EVOOWR, Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms helped Greece remain the top country for flavored olive oils globally, as it has been for years.
The Best Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil for EVOOWR 2024
Terra Creta Grand Cru extra virgin olive oil from Melissa-Kikizas S.A. – Terra Creta was ranked the best Greek extra virgin olive oil. Credited with 28 awards in 22 contests, Terra Creta’s Grand Cru was also listed as the best Koroneiki variety EVOO in the world. In addition, it was among the top five EVOOs globally for the fourth year in a row. Moreover, with its innovative olive mill in Crete, Terra Creta ranked in the top three Greek olive oil companies in the same years.
On top of that, Terra Creta heads the EVOOWR’s list of best flavored olive oils worldwide for 2024. Terra Creta Infusions with Basil is number one, and Terra Creta Infusions with Garlic is also among the top five globally.
Emmanouil Karpadakis believes “deep knowledge, constant commitment, a strong team, flexibility, and the work done by the Terra Creta Olive Academy are the key elements behind this success.” He feels “every single award” they receive “is of high significance, since it not only recognizes the work of our team and the Terra Creta Olive Academy, but in addition reflects the judgment of experienced tasters from different countries.” He mentions the Best in Class, Best Greek EVOO, and World’s Best Koroneiki awards from different competitions as especially noteworthy.
More Greek Olive Oil Companies Ranked Among the Top Five
Although in a transitional stage, The Master Miller P.C. appeared among the three highest-ranked Greek companies for EVOOWR 2024. Formerly known as Papadopoulos Olive Oil and Mediterre Eurofood, this company was listed as the number one Greek olive oil company for five of the last seven years, and among the top four in Greece each year.
Eva Papadopoulou considers a Double Gold Award at the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition (IOOC), a Platinum at the LONDON IOOC, and a Grand Prestige Gold at the TERRAOLIVO IOOC some of the “most significant accolades” they received in 2024. Papadopoulou pointed out that The Master Miller combines “over three decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology,” prioritizing sustainability, quality, and exceptional flavor. Working near Ancient Olympia in Ilia, they “preserve the authenticity of our local varieties, such as Olympia, Kolireiki, Botsikoelia, and Koroneiki, and share the distinct flavors of our region with the world.”
Another company committed to exceptional quality and sustainable practices ranked among the top five for Greek olive oil: Jordan Olivenöl GmbH. They mainly work with Kolovi and Adramytini olives on the island of Lesbos, where they strive to promote biodiversity and soil health. In their rainfed olive groves, “the climate and soil impart a unique terroir,” according to Bastian Jordan.
The result is “an olive oil with a distinct, full-bodied character.” Jordan feels that their EVOOWR “validates the dedication of our family and small farming partners to excellence, from cultivation to bottling. It inspires us to continue sharing the exceptional quality of our work and Lesbos with the world.”
Additional Extra Virgin and Flavored Greek Olive Oils Ranked High
Laconiko also ranked among the EVOOWR’s top ten for Greece, even without choosing to participate in many competitions in 2024. They are especially proud of Gold awards from the NYIOOC and the ATHENA IOOC for their Koroneiki variety estate extra virgin olive oils from Laconia, Peloponnese. Laconiko was also highly ranked for several of their flavored olive oils.
As Diamantis Pierrakos points out, “Laconiko’s commitment to transparency and quality ensures that our clients can trust the products they are purchasing. We aim to uphold the integrity of our craft by delivering the same exceptional standards to our customers that are recognized in these competitions. Our dedication to authenticity sets us apart in the industry and reinforces our reputation as a reliable source of high-quality olive oil.”
Liokareas is another of Greece’s top 14 EVOO companies, and one of the world’s top five companies for flavored olive oil in the EVOOWR for 2024. Peter Liokareas wishes to highlight their number one ranking for oleocanthal content at the World Best Healthy EVOO Contest in Spain, and their Gold award at the Olympia Health & Nutrition Awards in Greece, both for their high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil. “This recognition validates our unwavering commitment to producing the healthiest olive oil in the world,” Liokareas reported. As he added, it “inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in quality and innovation.”
Liokareas olive oil comes from Koroneiki variety olives grown on the Mani Peninsula in Peloponnese. “By combining old-world practices with cutting-edge research on phenol production,” said Liokareas, “we are not just preserving a legacy—we are advancing the art of olive oil for the future.”
Distinguished Greek Olive Oils from across the Land
Throughout the Greek mainland and the islands, the producers of highly ranked Greek olive oils honor the ancient traditions of their land while embracing modern advances and innovations. This enables them to bring the world flavorful, nutritious extra virgin olive oils made from many traditional olive varieties that reflect their unique terroirs. Greek olive oil producers are also becoming increasingly well known for some of the world’s best flavored olive oil condiments, which offer home cooks and chefs convenient ways to flavor fine dishes and salads.
*Originally published on Greek Liquid Gold: Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (greekliquidgold.com). See that site for recipes with olive oil, photos from Greece, agrotourism and food tourism suggestions, and olive oil news and information.
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