South Australia’s Rio Vista Olives has taken home top honours at the 2025 Australian International Olive Awards,after being crowned both Best South Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Show. Adding to an impressive haul of accolades including Champion Italian Varietal for the elegant Signore, Champion Greek Varietal for the bold Koroneiki, and Reserve Champion Greek Varietal for the Elisi Grove Kalamata, Rio Vista Olives beating a pool of talent from around the globe and shining a light on South Australian craftsmanship.
Reigning supreme over acclaimed producers from Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia, Rio Vista Olives is continuing to put Australian olive oil on the world stage. The judges praised the award-winning Signore as “complex and persistent with aromas of tropical fruits, green banana, freshly cut grass, herb and spices,” describing it as a fabulous example of balance and depth. Rio Vista Olives manager Leon Bettio added, “To have our Single Variety Extra Virgin Olive Oils like the Signore, Koroneiki and Kalamata have such amazing success is very exciting. All three are very unique expressions of their olive varieties and terroir. For the Signore to get top accolades this year is really a culmination of all the work that goes into it from the soil to the fruit.”
Despite a challenging year for growers, with drought conditions affecting producers across the country, Rio Vista has stayed dedicated. “Our team has worked tirelessly to maintain our soil quality, tree health and then with expert processing to create an oil that is a beautiful expression of South Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil,” said Leon.
As a proudly family-owned business, Rio Vista Olives has built its reputation combining traditional knowledge with cutting-edge production methods, processing olives within hours of harvest to preserve freshness and flavour. Every bottle tells the story of its land, crafted with precision and care. It’s this attention to detail that captured the attention of judges as well as the admiration of Australia’s top chefs and home cooks.
The Australian International Olive Awards is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. With expert judging panels across five countries and entries from every corner of the globe, only the most exceptional oils make it to the top. Rio Vista’s incredible list of recent wins includes Best in Show (Commercial Volume), Best in South Australia, multiple Champion varietal titles, a Platinum Award, six Golds, and one Silver. They also found success at the Royal Adelaide Olive Awards, taking home Best South Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Show, Best Medium EVOO, and Best Single Variety EVOO, along with a collection of medals.
It’s clear to see that Rio Vista Olives continues to elevate South Australia’s reputation as a leader in world-class produce. With an array of awards and global recognition under their belt, this local family business has proven that when it comes to flavour, South Australia is the one to beat.
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