Olinda Ridge Estate Organic Olive Oil Wins Award at First California Olive Oil Council Competition

USA (SANEPR.com) March 24, 2009 -- Olinda Ridge Olive Company, provider of handcrafted extra virgin olive oils from Northern California, was awarded a medal for its Olinda Ridge Estate Organic extra virgin olive oil at the 2009 California Olive Oil Council (COOC, www.cooc.com) competition. The COOC held its first annual members-only Extra Virgin and Flavored Olive Oil Competition in February 2009. This competition is exclusively for oil produced during the 2008/2009 harvest season.

Founded in 1992, the California Olive Oil Council is a non-profit trade and marketing association whose purpose is to promote the growing of olives and the production of olive oil in California. The COOC supports certified olive oil standards and provides grower, producer and consumer education. The COOC is dedicated to promoting fresh, quality extra virgin olive oils made in California. Through their Seal Certification program, they help everyone from home chefs to restaurants find guaranteed extra virgin olive oils for their kitchens.

“We’re pleased that our California organic olive oil has been recognized as one of the best olive oils in the country by a panel of judges who are not only experts in the field but also passionate about olive oil.” said Antonella Severo, partner of Olinda Ridge Olive Company. “The COOC is making important strides in calling for legislation that combats mislabeling and setting standards through its seal of certification on oils that meet its rigorous tests for extra virgin olive oil, the highest quality olive oil a consumer can buy.”

Olinda Ridge handcrafted extra virgin olive oils are produced and harvested in Northern California, where olives have grown since the 1890s. Great care is taken in every step of the olive oil making process, from handpicking the olives to bottling the oil. Their special method gives the olive oil a high polyphenol count, which maximizes anti-oxidants and their associated health benefits. The result is the highest quality, certified extra-virgin olive oil with superb taste and great nutritional value.

Olinda Ridge olive oils are available online at www.olindaridge.com for sale in individual bottles, gift sets and cases. They are also available at local farmers markets and specialty stores in Northern California (visit www.olindaridge.com/About-Us/Local-Markets for a list and calendar). Also visit the site for more information about bulk purchasing, corporate gifts and private labeling, and gourmet vinegars.

Olinda Ridge Olive Company is a family-owned and operated company out of Northern California producing some of the finest olive oil in the state and other gourmet products. They own and manage several olive orchards in Shasta and Butte counties, representing approximately 130 acres and 9000 trees of organic certified ranches of olives tress that are more than 100 years old. In addition, they also press olives from locally-owned ranches that follow local and sustainable farming practices.

Olinda Ridge Olive Company is a member of the California Olive Oil Council (COOC). Olinda Ridge™ organic products are USDA-approved organic. These extra virgin olives oils have also received several medals at the Olive Oils of the World Competition, L.A. County Fair, and Las Vegas International Restaurant Show.

For more information about Olinda Ridge products or to order online, please visit http://www.olindaridge.com.

For more information about the COOC, visit their web site at www.cooc.com.