The Croatian producer’s medium-intensity lineup, led by Avistria Istrian Blend, earned top honors for varietal precision and early-harvest freshness.
Olive Oil Times |
Sveti Lovreč, Croatia — Avistria d.o.o. has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Avistria Istrian Blend brand.
Avistria Istrian Blend is an extra virgin olive oil of medium intensity, made from Leccino, Istria Buza and Istrian Bjelica cultivars. The oil is distinguished by a fresh green character, shaped by artichoke notes, savory herbs and green banana, with a bitter almond edge that carries into a clean, balanced finish.
The 2026 result was part of a broad showing by Avistria, which earned six Gold Awards across its portfolio. In addition to the Gold for Avistria Istrian Blend, the producer secured Gold Awards for Avistria Buza, Avistria Leccino, Avistria Stari Buza, Avistria Istarska Bjelica and Avistria Istrian Essence, each recognized in the medium-intensity category.
Avistria d.o.o. was founded in 2015 and farms red-soiled land in Sveti Lovreč, in Istria. The operation currently produces olive oil from 35 hectares, with about 400 old trees and 9,500 young trees, while aiming to cultivate up to 15,000 olive trees following organic standards. The grove is planted primarily to typical Istrian varieties alongside selected Italian cultivars, reflecting the region’s growing reputation for high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
In the grove, Avistria harvests olives green and collects fruit by hand or with electric shakers using nets. The olives are milled the same day at the modern Officine Meccaniche Toscane oil mill in Babići, a workflow designed to protect aromatic precision and preserve the oils’ freshness.
Avistria’s 2026 awards also reinforced a competition record built through consistent participation and strong results. Across its full NYIOOC history, Avistria has earned 30 Gold Awards and four Silver Awards, totaling 34 distinctions since 2018. Annual results include four Gold Awards in 2025; three Gold Awards and one Silver Award in 2024; seven Gold Awards in 2023; five Gold Awards in 2022; one Gold Award and two Silver Awards in 2021; two Gold Awards and one Silver Award in 2020; one Gold Award in 2019; and one Gold Award in 2018.
The six Gold Awards place Avistria among the leading performers of the 2026 competition. In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Avistria is ranked #1 in Croatia, #6 in the Northern Hemisphere and #7 Worldwide.
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