South Africa’s top ten Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) for 2026 were named at the Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards on Thursday, 15 October, at Eensgezind Function Venue, Cape Farms near Durbanville. The ceremony celebrated the winning gold medal winners from this year’s SA Olive Awards and honours the EVOOs, their producers and the expertise, dedication and agricultural excellence that are shaping and evolving South Africa’s olive oil industry.
Following initial evaluations at the SA Olive Awards in September—where 33 outstanding oils earned gold medals—a second round of rigorous testing by an expert judging panel narrowed the field to the absolute elite.
The 2026 Absa Top 10 Winners
Representing delicate, medium, and intense flavor profiles, the ten winning producers and their standout oils for 2026 are:
- Het Vlock Casteel (Delicate) – Het Vlock Casteel Mission
- Terre Paisible (Delicate) – Terre Paisible Delicate
- Amber Grove Olive Estate (Medium) – Tero (Piqual)
- Willow Creek Products (Medium) – Estate Blend
- Babylonstoren (Medium) – Babylonstoren Coratina 2026
- Darling Olives (Medium) – EVOO
- Lions Creek Estate (Medium) – Coratina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Petra Olives (Medium) – Petra Olives
- Andante Olives Porterville (Intense) – Andante Intenso
- De Rustica Estate (Intense) – De Rustica Estate Coratina
Each bottle showcases the unique terroir and agricultural mastery required to produce world-class extra virgin olive oil.
Excellence Rooted in Dedication
Earning a spot in the Absa Top 10 is the result of meticulous effort that starts in the grove. From nurturing trees and timing the harvest perfectly to precision milling and storage, every stage requires deep skill and intuition.
The long-standing partnership between Absa and SA Olive aims to convert this recognition into tangible business growth. By connecting award-winning producers with distributors, retailers, and international buyers, the initiative expands market access and elevates South Africa’s global reputation.
“The Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards celebrate the dedication and ambition of South African producers,” says Shaun Saal, Senior Marketing Specialist at Absa. “Through our long-standing partnership with SA Olive, we want to help turn that recognition into lasting opportunities… We also want more international markets to discover the exceptional quality of South African Extra Virgin Olive Oils and the people behind them.”
Bringing World-Class Flavour Home
Every harvest presents unique challenges, making adaptability and experience crucial to success. SA Olive CEO Wendy Petersen emphasized the collaborative work behind this year’s harvest: “These winning oils reflect that balance, and the work of teams whose contribution deserves to be celebrated alongside the finished product… Our hope is that these awards encourage more people to explore South African EVOOs, get to know the producers and make local olive oil part of their everyday lives.”
As these award-winning bottles head to market, local food lovers can easily identify the best of the season. Keep an eye out for the distinctive Absa Top 10 stickers on store shelves, alongside the SA Olive gold, silver, and bronze seals, to bring the rich flavours of the 2026 harvest into your kitchen.
