The Croatian producer from Bale, Istria, earned top honors for a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil made from four cultivars.
Olive Oil Times |
Bale, Croatia — OPG Paunovic has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Canolle brand.
Canolle is an extra virgin olive oil of medium intensity. Crafted from Frantoio, Leccino, Buza and Pendolino olives, Canolle is distinguished by notes of artichoke and fennel, with banana emerging on the palate. Careful production practices support the oil’s clarity and balance, from orchard work through extraction.
OPG Paunovic produces extra virgin olive oil from a 200-tree grove in Bale, in the Istria region of Croatia. Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino and Buza are the main varieties cultivated in the grove, reflecting a mix of widely planted Italian cultivars alongside a local Istrian mainstay.
The 2026 Gold continues a consistent record for OPG Paunovic at the competition. Across four total entries at NYIOOC, OPG Paunovic has earned four Gold awards, including Gold recognitions in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The new award also strengthens OPG Paunovic’s position in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where the producer is ranked #21 in Croatia, #76 in the Northern Hemisphere and #80 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.