Gold Ridge Organic Farms earns three Gold Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC By Brooke Hazen, Farmer-Founder

The California producer was recognized for Tuscan Blend, Minerva Blend and Picholine Blend, each awarded Gold in the Medium category.

Sebastopol, United States — Gold Ridge Organic Farms has been awarded three Gold Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Tuscan Blend, Minerva Blend and Picholine Blend brands.

"This harvest was challenging because it was late. This did not stop me from harvesting at the perfect time for all the varieties, and extending our harvest later into the late fall/ early winter. I want to give thanks to such a gifted team at Gold Ridge, who all worked together so seamlessly and courageously to brave the wind, rain, and frost, to press quickly and at the highest caliber.," said Brooke Hazen, Farmer-Founder at Gold Ridge Organic Farms.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms earned Gold for the Medium-intensity Tuscan Blend, along with Gold Awards for the Medium-intensity Minerva Blend and Medium-intensity Picholine Blend. Across the three award-winning blends, the oils are distinguished by a savory aromatic profile that recalls arugula and fresh leaf, lifted by warm cinnamon and spice and anchored by a bitter almond edge.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms was started by farmer Brooke Hazen in West Sonoma County, California. The certified-organic farm sits 80 kilometers north of San Francisco in the rolling hills of Sebastopol, where coastal breezes and optimal soils provide ideal growing conditions across 30 hectares of olives. Gold Ridge Organic Farms processes estate-grown olives into four organic olive oils within hours of harvest using an Italian Rapanelli press, a rapid turnaround that helps preserve freshness and supports generous antioxidant content.

In previous interviews with Olive Oil Times, Hazen has pointed to the long, cool growing season shaped by the farm’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean as a defining factor in the character of Gold Ridge Organic Farms oils, allowing olives to mature slowly and develop flavor, color and nuance. The methodical approach extends from orchard work through harvest timing and milling decisions, reinforcing a consistent quality standard across the farm’s blends.

The three 2026 Gold Awards add to a substantial competition record for Gold Ridge Organic Farms at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition. Overall, Gold Ridge Organic Farms has earned 27 Gold Awards and four Silver Awards, with recent results including three Gold and one Silver in 2025, three Gold in 2024, four Gold in 2023, four Gold in 2022, three Gold and one Silver in 2021, four Gold in 2020, two Gold and one Silver in 2019, and one Gold and one Silver in 2017.

The 2026 results also strengthened Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where Gold Ridge Organic Farms is ranked #6 in the United States, #12 in the Northern Hemisphere and #13 Worldwide.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.

"This harvest was challenging because it was late. This did not stop me from harvesting at the perfect time for all the varieties, and extending our harvest later into the late fall/ early winter. I want to give thanks to such a gifted team at Gold Ridge, who all worked together so seamlessly and courageously to brave the wind, rain, and frost, to press quickly and at the highest caliber."