Zagoda Olive Oil wins Gold and Silver at 2026 NYIOOC

Köprübaşı, Turkey — Zagoda Olive Oil has been awarded a Gold and a Silver at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, with top honors for Zagoda Ayvalik and a second distinction for Zagoda Trilye.

"We are thankful for this recognition and for the opportunity to share our harvest on an international stage. This season required patience and thoughtful timing, and we remained disciplined in every step of production. Seeing that effort acknowledged is deeply encouraging. It reminds us why we continue to approach each harvest with care, consistency, and respect for the land.," said Ceren Su Sahin, Founder at Zagoda Olive Oil.

Zagoda Olive Oil earned a Gold for Zagoda Ayvalik, a medium-intensity monovarietal made exclusively from the Ayvalik cultivar. Marked by a clean, fresh character, Zagoda Ayvalik is distinguished by peppery sensations layered with basil and oregano, alongside green tomato leaf and a hint of garlic. Hand harvesting and same-day cold pressing are central to preserving the oil’s aromatic clarity and balance.

The producer also received a Silver for Zagoda Trilye, a delicate extra virgin olive oil crafted from the Trilye cultivar. The second award underscores the range Zagoda Olive Oil has built across distinct Turkish varieties, spanning from delicate to medium intensity while meeting the competition’s rigorous quality standards.

Zagoda Olive Oil brings ultra-premium olive oil from a family farm in Köprübaşı, Turkey, to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The producer says the oils are crafted from hand-picked olives and cold-pressed the same day, with a focus on sustainable practices and producing additive-free extra virgin olive oil.

The 2026 results add to a growing track record at the NYIOOC for Zagoda Olive Oil. In total, Zagoda Olive Oil has earned five awards in the competition, including three Gold and two Silver. In 2025, Zagoda Olive Oil received two Gold and one Silver.

The honors also strengthen Zagoda Olive Oil’s position in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where Zagoda Olive Oil is ranked #32 in the United States, #82 in the Northern Hemisphere and #86 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.