The “Mario Solinas” Quality Award is an international competition organized annually by the International Olive Council (IOC) with the aim of recognizing and promoting excellence in the production of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO).
The Mario Solinas Award
This award honors the memory of the Italian professor Mario Solinas, a distinguished researcher who contributed significantly to the standardization of olive oil quality criteria.
This competition began in 1993 and has since had a transformative effect, leading many companies, cooperatives, and small brands to improve the quality of their oils, which has ultimately benefited both the sector and consumers.
The Mario Solinas Award seeks to encourage producers, cooperatives, and brands to market EVOO with excellent organoleptic characteristics—just like all the extra virgin olive oils you can find at Molino y Cata.
2025 Winners
The Mario Solinas is one of the most coveted awards in the sector, and this year’s winners are:
- Intense Fruity:Exemplum de Colival, Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real
- Medium Fruity: Jabalcuz Gran Selección, Los Villares, Jaén
- Light Fruity:Nutrifarms II Olives, Algés, Portugal
- Smooth: Olea Kotti, Kroussia, Tunisia
- Small Producers: Finca La Pontezuela, Toledo
- Bottlers: Almazara de Muela, Priego de Córdoba
The importance of this award lies not only in recognizing producers but also in its revitalizing effect, encouraging others to improve the quality of their products to participate (and win).
The importance of this award
The Mario Solinas Award has gained global recognition, becoming a benchmark for quality in the olive oil sector. Producers from various countries participate annually, reflecting the award’s importance in promoting quality and competitiveness in the international olive oil market.
Our view on the Mario Solinas Award
From the perspective of an industry professional, wanting to produce quality is a good thing, but without an incentive to drive that quality, the initial effort and enthusiasm may eventually fade.
We send our warmest congratulations to the winners and, as always, are delighted to know that we choose the right producers to work with. Find out how we choose them and what to look for when buying in price and smart buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Olive Council’s Mario Solinas Award?
It is the leading international competition for extra virgin olive oils, organized by the IOC since 1993. It is named after the Italian professor Mario Solinas, a pioneer in standardizing olive oil quality criteria. Winning a Mario Solinas is the highest international recognition a producer of EVOO can receive.
How does the Mario Solinas Award affect quality in the sector?
It has been transformative. Since 1993, the award has encouraged producers, cooperatives, and brands worldwide to improve their production processes. As a result, oils of a quality that would have been unthinkable thirty years ago are now being produced. Healthy competition raises standards across the entire sector, and the ultimate beneficiary is the consumer.
How are oils evaluated in the Mario Solinas competition?
An international panel of expert tasters evaluates the samples according to the IOC criteria: fruitiness, bitterness, pungency, defects, and harmony. Both intensity and balance are assessed. The categories distinguish between mild, medium, and intense oils, recognizing that excellence takes many forms.
Are any Mario Solinas award-winning oils available at Molino y Cata?
Yes. Our selection includes oils that have been recognized at the Mario Solinas and other top-tier international competitions. In the olive oil shop, we explain which awards each oil has received and what they mean. You can taste them and decide which one best suits your palate and cooking.