EVO IOOC Italy 2025: Entre Lágrimas y Sonrisas, Roma Celebra la Excelencia Oleícola Mundial

Roma, [12 de julio de 2025] – Con una emotiva ceremonia de entrega de premios que culminó en un largo y caluroso aplauso para todos los ganadores, se cerró el telón de la décima edición conmemorativa de EVO IOOC Italy.

The Eternal City shone with excellence and diplomacy during this prestigious international competition dedicated to extra virgin olive oil. The awards ceremony, held in a highly prestigious setting, saw exceptional participation, underscoring the growing role of quality EVOO in the global landscape.
The event, hosted by Stefania Reggio and Antonio G. Lauro – General Director and President of EVO IOOC Italy, respectively – had the honor of welcoming Senator Giorgio Salvitti, representing the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Lollobrigida, and Attorney Francesco Cardone, President of the Palmi City Council, the host city for all selection phases of the competition.
A distinctive element of this tenth edition was the significant participation of the international diplomatic corps. The Hellenic Republic was represented by Ms. Vasiliki Kouskouti, Economic and Commercial Counselor, accompanied by Ms. Argyro Polymerou and Ms. Stella Bakoula. Portugal was represented by Maria João Coutinho, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in Rome.
A highlight of this EVO IOOC Italy edition was the talk show, a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating stories behind each bottle of extra virgin olive oil. President Lauro led a dynamic conversation with some of the "Best in Class" award winners, offering the audience an immersion into the peculiarities and strengths of their productions.
Among the protagonists of the discussion were Barbara Gugliotta of Tenute Cristiano (Italy), recent winner of the Best International 2025 Flavoured EVOO for her exceptional EVOO and lemon-based dressing; Beatriz de Carvalho Pereira of Fazendas do Azeite Sabiá (Brazil), who won the prestigious Best International Coupage 2025 - South Hemisphere with her Blend de Terroir; Piero Matarazzo (Italy), acclaimed winner of the coveted Best International Award 2025 - North Hemisphere for his RAMARÀ; Carla Dirodi of Cavi Uliveti, a Swiss company with production in Puglia (Italy), awarded the Best International Monovarietal 2025 - North Hemisphere for her SE-DO; and Simone Botti of Le Fontacce (Italy), honored with the Best International Coupage 2025 - North Hemisphere for his EVOO Blend.
The undisputed climax of the evening, as expected, was the awards ceremony for the absolute winnersand the trophies specially designed to celebrate the contest's "first" 10 years.
But the celebration wasn't limited to the "Best of Show" trophy winners. Particular emphasis was placed on the presentation of every single 10-year commemorative trophy to all Gold and Silver medalists of the competition. It was a succession of pure joy, with producers thrilled about their "Medal," a new trophy to adorn their bottles, symbolizing globally recognized excellence. The ritual photos captured radiant smiles, sincere hugs, and proud gazes.
The Best of Show awards notably recognized Italy, which secured four trophies, followed by Greece and Spain, each with one Best in Class trophy. A surprising first trophy went to South Africa, marking a milestone for EVO IOOC Italy, while Argentina and Brazil, accustomed to global top ranks, continued to impress.
The coveted Best International Award 2025 - North Hemisphere, reserved for the North Hemisphere EVOO with the highest score, was deservedly conferred upon the Italian company of Piero Matarazzo for his multi-awarded RAMARÀ.
The Best International Award 2025 - South Hemisphere was awarded to the EVOO Mardouw XXV Intense from South Africa, produced by Mardouw Investments ZA Pty Ltd, which achieved the highest score in its hemisphere.
Completing the triad of the Best International 2025 was Tenute Cristiano, with its Flavoured EVOO with Lemon, which won the Best International Flavoured EVOO 2025 trophy.
The prestigious list of Best of Show continues with accolades for the best in each category. Among these:

• Best International DOP/IGP 2025 - North Hemisphere: AGRO.VI.M. S.A. (Greece) - ILIADA Kalamata PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Best International Organic 2025 - North Hemisphere: Almazaras de La Subbetica (Spain), with Rincon de la Subbetica DOP Priego De Cordoba
• Best International Monovarietal 2025 - North Hemisphere: Cavi Uliveti (Italy), SE-DO
• Best International Coupage 2025 - North Hemisphere: Le Fontacce di Botti Simone (Italy) - Blend 2024
• Best International Monovarietal 2025 - South Hemisphere: Estilo Oliva - Estilo Oliva (Argentina)
• Best International Coupage 2025 - South Hemisphere: Fazendas do Azeite Sabiá - Blend de Terroir (Brazil)

The list is completed by the Best of Country and Special Awards.
Best of Country 2025:

• Best of Argentina: Olioinversiones Glam SA, Garbo Coratina
• Best of Brazil: Colhida, Colhida Blend Intenso (Brazil)
• Best of Croatia: E pluribus unum d.o.o., Istriana
• Best of Greece: LIÁ Cultivators, LIÁ
• Best of Israel: Eretz Gshur, Eretz Gshur Picual
• Best of Italy: Società Agricola F.lli Spina Srl, Aurora
• Best of Libya: Almoshkat, Almoshkat
• Best of Portugal: Cooperativa De Olivicultores De Valpaços, Crl, Rosmaninho Gourmet Verdeal
• Best of South Africa: Kielder South Africa (PTY) LTD, Kielder Premium Selection EVOO
• Best of Spain: Aceites Oro Bailén Galgón 99 S.L.U., Oro Bailen Picual BIO
• Best of Tunisia: Dear Goodness, Soleil d'Acholla Chetoui
• Best of Turkey: Gaia Oliva Ltd. Sti, Gaia Oliva Harvest Excellence

Special Awards 2025:

• Best of Regione Calabria 2025: Tenuta Severini, M.Elodia
• Raul C. Castellani Best of South America 2025: Lagar H Agroindústria - Lagar H Monovarietal Da Safra – Koroneiki (Brazil)
• DOP Aceite del Bajo Aragón - Almendrados Dulces 2025: Reales Almazaras de Alcañiz/Coop. del Mezquín, S.C.L.

Following the solemn awards ceremony, the evening continued with guided tastings, where the celebratory atmosphere transitioned into one of sharing and discovery. The winning producers seized the opportunity to narrate the stories behind their oils, revealing their visions, methodologies, and the secrets that make their products unique to an attentive and passionate audience.
EVO IOOC Italy 2025 was not merely a showcase for exceptional oils; it affirmed itself as an authentic ode to the passion, dedication, and resilience of those who, through their tireless work, elevate extra virgin olive oil to a symbol of global excellence. The event generated a collective emotion that will remain indelible in the hearts of all participants, solidifying the sense of belonging to a community that pursues uncompromising quality.