ATHENAIOOC 2023
Kavala, East Macedonia
EVOO entries for ATHENA 2023 were almost evenly split between Greece and 22
other countries. The competition was held in Kavala, May 4-6, with a record number
of countries (15) participating on the judging panel.
Total number of entries this year was 525, 52% from Greece and 48% from Algeria,
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, USA, Spain, Israel, Italy, China, Croatia, Cyprus,
Libya, Morocco, South Africa, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Turkey, Tunisia,
and Chile. There was a notable increase in participation from the southern
hemisphere given the unusually late date of the competition.
Out of the 30 judges at ATHENA 2003, all renowned figures in the global olive oil
industry, 20 were from Australia, Brazil, France, USA, Japan, Spain, Israel, Italy,
Croatia, Great Britain, Portugal, Turkey, Tunisia, and Chile, and the remaining 10
from Greece; they awarded 368 medals (159 for Greek olive oils): 40 Double Golds (2 Greek), 168 Golds (60 Greek), 108 Silvers (61 Greek), and 52 Bronzes (36 Greek).
Top olive oil of the competition (best of show), was Primicia Picual from Martin De
Prado, a 100% Picual EVOO from the Cáceres region in Extremadura, Spain. Best
Greek olive oil, was Julia, by a mill of the same name in the region of Epirus (Arta)
from the Konservolia Arta variety, proving once again that even EVOOs from less
established regions can excel at the highest level, playing a pivotal role in the further
development of olive cultivation in these areas.
The recognition of a Brazilian EVOO as the show’s best Koroneiki serves as proof of
the international status attained by this varietal, which was present this year with
167 samples from six different countries, spanning three continents and both
hemispheres: Brazil, Cyprus, Israel, USA, China and of course Greece. The best Greek Koroneiki was Physis of Crete (gold medal), from Lasithi, Crete.
The 8th edition of ATHENA took place in the city of Kavala, chosen as the capital of
one of the fastest growing olive groves in the country.
The award ceremony was held on June 10, 2023, at the Zappeion Megaron in central
Athens and was attended by numerous Greek and foreign olive oil producers.
other countries. The competition was held in Kavala, May 4-6, with a record number
of countries (15) participating on the judging panel.
Total number of entries this year was 525, 52% from Greece and 48% from Algeria,
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, USA, Spain, Israel, Italy, China, Croatia, Cyprus,
Libya, Morocco, South Africa, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Turkey, Tunisia,
and Chile. There was a notable increase in participation from the southern
hemisphere given the unusually late date of the competition.
Out of the 30 judges at ATHENA 2003, all renowned figures in the global olive oil
industry, 20 were from Australia, Brazil, France, USA, Japan, Spain, Israel, Italy,
Croatia, Great Britain, Portugal, Turkey, Tunisia, and Chile, and the remaining 10
from Greece; they awarded 368 medals (159 for Greek olive oils): 40 Double Golds (2 Greek), 168 Golds (60 Greek), 108 Silvers (61 Greek), and 52 Bronzes (36 Greek).
Top olive oil of the competition (best of show), was Primicia Picual from Martin De
Prado, a 100% Picual EVOO from the Cáceres region in Extremadura, Spain. Best
Greek olive oil, was Julia, by a mill of the same name in the region of Epirus (Arta)
from the Konservolia Arta variety, proving once again that even EVOOs from less
established regions can excel at the highest level, playing a pivotal role in the further
development of olive cultivation in these areas.
The recognition of a Brazilian EVOO as the show’s best Koroneiki serves as proof of
the international status attained by this varietal, which was present this year with
167 samples from six different countries, spanning three continents and both
hemispheres: Brazil, Cyprus, Israel, USA, China and of course Greece. The best Greek Koroneiki was Physis of Crete (gold medal), from Lasithi, Crete.
The 8th edition of ATHENA took place in the city of Kavala, chosen as the capital of
one of the fastest growing olive groves in the country.
The award ceremony was held on June 10, 2023, at the Zappeion Megaron in central
Athens and was attended by numerous Greek and foreign olive oil producers.
