The Villafranca Sicula, Sicily estate earned its fourth NYIOOC recognition with a medium-intensity Biancolilla extra virgin olive oil.
Olive Oil Times |
Villafranca Sicula, Italy — Loco Galbasa has been awarded a Silver at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Galbasa brand.
Loco Galbasa produced the medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil from Biancolilla olives, a cultivar long associated with Sicily’s western interior. Galbasa is distinguished by a fresh tomato character, lifted by floral aromatics that add brightness and balance.
Based in Villafranca Sicula, in the province of Agrigento, Loco Galbasa is a family-run estate that traces its olive-growing roots to 1963. The farm cultivates native varieties, especially Biancolilla, including fruit from century-old trees, and produces certified organic extra virgin olive oil intended to reflect the estate’s local landscape.
To protect varietal expression and preserve aromatic complexity, Loco Galbasa mills the olives within four hours of harvest and relies on cold extraction. The approach is designed to safeguard freshness and natural polyphenols while maintaining a clean, consistent sensory profile.
The 2026 Silver adds to a growing record at the world’s largest olive oil quality contest. Across its full NYIOOC history, Loco Galbasa has earned four awards — one Gold and three Silver — including a Gold in 2025 and Silvers in 2024 and 2023.
The result also contributes to Loco Galbasa’s standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where the producer is ranked #40 in Italy, #80 in the Northern Hemisphere and #83 Worldwide.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.