Sovena Group a big winner in olive oil competition

Portugal-based Sovena Group (with U.S. headquarters in Rome, N.Y.) said its companies were honored with six of the 21 awards given in the International Olive Council’s Mario Solinas Quality Award 2015 competition in June. Mario Solinas awards are the most prestigious prizes in olive oil, and the producer of branded and private label oils said it received more awards than any other company in the competition. The winning Sovena Group companies and their awards are as follows:

Second Edition Winners:

• 1st prize — medium green fruitiness: Murtigão — Sociedade Agricola S.A., Oliveira da Serra Lagar do Marmelo brand
• 2nd prize — mild green fruitiness: Sociedade Agrícola Vale do Ouro S.A., Oliveira da Serra Oliveirinha brand
• 3rd prize — mild green fruitiness: ElaiaLagar — Produção e Comercialização de Azeites, S.A. Oliveira da Serra Selecção Verde brand
• Finalist — mild green fruitiness: Sovena Portugal, Oliveira da Serra Gourmet brand

First Edition Winners:

• 2nd prize — mild green fruitiness: Lameira de Cima S.A., Oliveira da Serra Gourmet brand
• Finalist — mild green fruitiness: Sovena Portugal, Olivari brand

The winners are allowed to announce the prize on the labels of the extra virgin olive oil belonging to the same batch as the winning sample, the International Olive Council said, and can obtain a special logo from the Executive Secretariat for this purpose. The Mario Solinas Awards ceremony was held on June 29 during the Fancy Food Show in New York.