2024 Awards Recap
As I sit here at Gate 205 waiting to board a flight for my Fall trip to Italy, a familiar pair of friends (fondly named Anticipatory Nerves and Childlike Excitement) keep me company as I await the long journey ahead - one which will take me to a handful of new places in Italy's deep south to study olive oil. Perhaps a throwback to my school days, this interlude between summer and fall is always bittersweet, and somehow, many years later, life as an olive producer is still no different. The close of summer signals both excitement and uncertainty as a new harvest looms on the horizon. So, as a bit of emotional respite, this moment seems right to take one last look back at what was an exceptionally good year for Luretík. In particular, the many prestigious global awards our organic olive oils garnered in 2024 made for some wonderful memories both for me and our small team.
It began in February with the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Competition. L.A.’s competition is special for a number of reasons, but primarily because it comes early in the year, when the most recently harvested oils have just been bottled. Award recognition early on helps producers market their oil, so winning in L.A. not only feels great but also provides an economic boost, especially for small producers like Luretík. Anticipation is always high and it turns out there isn’t much difference between the emotions of a 7 year-old and those of a 70 year-old when it comes to winning awards. Upon receiving the email announcing the winners, scrolling suddenly becomes a very stressful activity (!)
That morning, my heart leaped when I saw that all three of Luretík’s oils received gold medals. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better than a trio of golds in Los Angeles, I learned that Luretík Sicily had won Best in Class and a coveted Best in Show—one of only six awarded from over 600 oils across 16 countries. When unexpected news like that comes in, there’s disbelief, joy, and finally, deep relief that all the hard work paid off.
The wins kept coming throughout the spring, with golds from the New York International Olive Oil Competition, Olive Japan, and the Good Food Awards. Each victory was even more meaningful because all Luretík oils are certified organic, a rare distinction in the olive oil world. Stringent compliance requirements raise the bar for winning as organic olive farming cannot use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides that are commonly incorporated into non-organic farming practices. Furthermore, certified organic oils comprise only a small fraction of all olive oil produced worldwide, making the achievement even more meaningful.
In May, I received news from Athens that I’m still processing. My miller, a multi-award winner, had encouraged me to enter the prestigious Athena International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. He believed our oils would be competitive, but as a small, certified organic producer in just our third harvest, I was hesitant. I entered both our Sicily and our new offering, Meridione, a medium robust oil. Knowing the competition, I was hoping for a bronze.
I wasn’t prepared for what flashed across the screen that May morning, though my miller’s text had given a hint: “Athena results are in—open your computer.” Luretík Sicily had won gold, and to my shock, Meridione earned a Double Gold, with scores of 95 points and above from an international panel of judges. (As a medium robust oil, I felt Meridione would be in good company with the stronger profile of many Italian, Spanish and Greek entries). As I stared at the screen, another text arrived — “congratulations and a reminder to check the Special Awards.” There it was: Luretík Meridione, Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend of Show and Best of Show Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Looking back, this sense of joy and achievement is only eclipsed by the immense gratitude I have for everyone who contributed to Luretík’s remarkable success in 2024. Grazie infinite - and now, wheels up and onto the next adventure….
Elise
9/19/24