Some awards measure what’s in the bottle. Others, for a moment, take the measure of an entire journey: nearly thirty years of work, early harvests and the belief that something of world-class quality can be created from Istrian soil.
In 2025 we entered our oils in three international competitions – the very ones this story is about. Over the past few weeks the results have come in, and from three different corners of Europe each has brought recognition that means a great deal to us. Every one of them tells the same story in its own way.
Florence and Il Magnifico: Hospitality as Part of the Story
In the historic Certosa monastery in Florence, as part of the prestigious Il Magnifico – European Extra Quality Olive Oil Award, our olive mill in Vodnjan was named the best olive oil tourism experience in Europe for the third year running, with the “Best Olive Oil Hospitality in Europe” award.
This recognition means a great deal to us, because it celebrates not only what’s in the bottle, but everything around it: the way we lead every guest through the olive groves, the mill and a tasting where we show them how to recognise true, authentic extra virgin olive oil. For us, oil has never been just a product – it’s an experience to be shared.
We’re also especially pleased with how our Romano oil performed. It reached the finals for the Best European EQOO 2026 award and earned three stars — the highest honour this competition awards. It’s further proof that Istrian oil has something to say on the European stage.
Lake Garda and Leone d’Oro: Gold Received by the Second Generation
At the prestigious international Leone d’Oro competition on Lake Garda, our Romano oil took 1st place in the Blend International category. But what makes this award truly special isn’t the gold alone.
What makes it special is that Lorenzo, Tedi’s son, accepted it in person.
Nearly thirty years ago, Sandi and Tedi set out on this path with plenty of dreams, plenty of uncertainty and a great deal of hard work. Step by step, harvest by harvest. Today, as the second generation stands on that stage and accepts the award on behalf of the whole family, the feeling is hard to put into words. This is not an award for a single oil — it’s confirmation that the story is carrying on exactly where it began.
Der Feinschmecker: Istra Takes 3rd Place Among the World’s 100 Best Oils
Der Feinschmecker is one of Germany’s leading gourmet magazines, and its olive oil award — the Olio Award — has run since 2003 and is now regarded as one of the most rigorous and influential in the field: highly respected in Germany, and an important reference in Greece and Italy too.
At this competition our blends Istra and Organic ranked among the 100 best olive oils in the world, with Istra earning an impressive 3rd place.
Recognition like this carries particular weight, because it comes from a country that deeply values fine food, authenticity and quality. To be counted among the best is a great honour — and confirmation that our dedication to detail, to organic production and to constantly raising the bar on quality is worth it. We’re especially glad that Istra and Organic, once again, showed the true character of Istrian varieties and everything we try to convey through each bottle.
The Chiavalon Philosophy: Three Awards, One Root
At first glance these are three different awards — for our hospitality, for the quality in every bottle and for a place among the world’s finest oils. Yet all three come from the very top of the European and global stage, and all three share the same root:
Behind each of them lie years of dedicated work, early harvests and the precise processing of the fresh fruit within just a few hours. We use advanced technology in which precision and purity always come first. And behind it all stands a team of people who believe in the same philosophy: that honouring tradition and embracing the new, both rooted in Istrian soil, give rise to extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality. Awards are not the goal. They are a sign that we’re on the right path.
Thank You for Being Part of the Story
Thank you to everyone who has followed our journey, supported us and believed in our story for almost thirty years. These awards belong just as much to our team, our family and every guest whose visit to Vodnjan has helped shape this path.
And to those of you just discovering us, we invite you to taste the oils behind these awards — whether at our mill in Vodnjan or in our online shop. The best of Istria is waiting for your table.