Olive Oil Cultus won International Gold

Croatian producer OPG Trk-Ulja from Šibenik achieved outstanding success in its debut appearance at the world's most important olive oil competition – the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition in New York – winning a gold medal for its Cultus brand.

This is the most prestigious and influential international extra virgin olive oil competition, which annually brings together the best producers from more than 30 countries on six continents. In such strong competition, Croatian Cultus – a medium-intensity monovarietal oil of the Oblica variety – earned the highest recognition for quality, aroma, and authenticity.

“This is confirmation that tradition, sustainabilit,y and modern technology can be successfully combined, and the aroma of our oldest Dalmatian variety, Oblica, can be preserved and further highlighted,” said owner Zoran Trkulja, who won gold in his first participation in the competition.

The Cultus brand, which translates to “care for the Earth” from Latin, reflects the philosophy of sustainable and natural production. The oil is produced in a family-owned olive grove near Šibenik, with an emphasis on early harvesting that begins on October 1st and cold processing that occurs within just two hours of picking. This approach ensures a high polyphenol content, vigourous antioxidant activity and distinctive aromas.

Cultus is an oil characterized by a sharper, spicier taste, making it ideal for both everyday use and gourmet occasions. It takes as many as 15 kg of olives to produce one liter of this high-quality oil, which further confirms its value and concentrated quality. The aromas are reminiscent of freshly cut grass, green almonds, and artichokes, with a spicy finish.

In the challenging year of 2024, marked by prolonged heat and drought, Trkulja preserved the plantations by using ecological methods, such as fertilizing with seaweed, without the use of harmful chemicals. This produced not only a top-quality gastronomic oil, but also a functional foodstuff with proven health value.

In addition to winning the gold medal, Cultus oil was also included in the official list of the best olive oils in the world for 2025, further confirming its place among the very top of the world's extra virgin olive oil production.

This success is not only a personal achievement but also a significant step towards enhancing the international recognition of Croatian olive growers and the quality of domestic production.