The Cypriot organic farm in Evrychou’s buffer zone earned recognition for a medium-intensity blend of Koroneiki and Kalamata olives.
Olive Oil Times |
Evrychou, Cyprus — V. Atsas Organic Products has been awarded a Silver at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Atsas Gold Blend brand.
V. Atsas Organic Products produces Atsas Gold Blend as a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil from Koroneiki and Kalamata olives. Made from early-harvest fruit and cold-pressed as a non-filtered olive oil, Atsas Gold Blend is characterized by a bitter, fruity flavor and freshness. The olives are pressed within 30 minutes at V. Atsas Organic Products’ olive mill, an approach intended to preserve quality from grove to extraction.
Founded in 2012 by George David, V. Atsas Organic Products began on deteriorated land in Cyprus’s buffer zone, also known as the Green Line or Dead Zone, the narrow strip separating the island’s Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities. Located in the Solea Valley near the village of Evrychou, the farm developed on land that had been left uncultivated for decades, providing soil that V. Atsas Organic Products has described as virtually virgin.
Working as a certified organic farm, V. Atsas Organic Products follows agroecology and permaculture practices while prioritizing biodiversity and sustainability. In the olive groves, operations such as harvesting and pruning are performed with manually operated tools or small-scale mechanical equipment to reduce the impact associated with heavy machinery. V. Atsas Organic Products has also focused on water management by collecting rainwater in an artificial lake on the farm.
V. Atsas Organic Products has expanded its efforts beyond olive trees, cultivating additional trees on the farm, including pomegranate and fig, while installing bird nests and preserving clusters of indigenous plants to support habitat for birds, beneficial insects and microorganisms. Rather than completely eradicating weeds, V. Atsas Organic Products trims them and leaves plant material on the soil to support green composting processes, while also growing plants such as vetch and lucerne along olive tree lines to enrich the soil with nutrients.
V. Atsas Organic Products has also pursued agricultural education, establishing a training center in the village of Katydata. The initiative reflects V. Atsas Organic Products’ broader emphasis on disseminating knowledge gained through agricultural development and olive cultivation.
The 2026 Silver Award adds to V. Atsas Organic Products’ established record at the NYIOOC, bringing the producer’s overall competition history to two Gold and four Silver awards. In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, V. Atsas Organic Products is ranked #1 in Cyprus, #84 in the Northern Hemisphere and #88 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.