The 19th international manifestation of olive growers and olive oil producers Noćnjak 2017 was held in Jelsa on Hvar Island under the auspices of Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Agriculture Minister Tomislav Tolušić
Saturday night was reserved for the awards ceremony, where champions and runners up were announced in categories of quality and appearance of olive oils, with other awards to deserving producers to whom the olive means everything, Slobodna Dalmacija reported on March 26, 2017.
The ceremony was attended by numerous guests, among them Gabrijela Žalac, Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, as well as olive growers and olive oil producers from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia and Italy.
This year’s manifestation saw 394 samples of oils, olive products and 100 samples of packaging.
Champion titles were awarded to: Oljarna Lisjak from Koper (Slovenia), for the packaging quality of extra virgin olive oil (runner up OPG Matijašić from Zamask); OPG Legović – Dragan and Marija Legović from Kaštelir, for the quality of open extra virgin olive oil (runner up OPG Milenko Zagorac from Polače) and OPG Jerolim Petković from Vela Luka on Korčula Island, for the packaging design of olive oil.
Awards were handed out to: OPG Kristijan Brajko from Oskoruša, for the best mono-variety extra virgin olive oil; OPG Azienda Agricola Cecco from Nova Vas, for the best multi-variety extra virgin olive oil; OPG Stipe Damić from Rogotin, for the best mild extra virgin olive oil; Oleum Maris from Vodnjan, for the best medium intense extra virgin olive oil; Wines and Oils San Zvanini from Gornje Selo on Šolta Island, for the best ecological product and OPG Ćurin Eva Marija from Gdinj, for the best Croatian island product.
After the ceremonial opening of the manifestation several days earlier, and the personal and collective awards ceremony, participants took part in the planting of a memorial olive tree, olive growing and olive oil production fair, olive oil and olive, medicinal herbs and HOP label products exhibition.
Also available was the Olio Bar which included tastings and presentations of olive oils as well as the “Little School of Olive Oil Tasting.”
Friday was reserved for expert and scientific topics presented during a gathering on olive growing and olive oil production, and the expert meeting of the Advisory Department.
Considering many olive growers and olive oil producers, as well as companies producing a variety of equipment and tools, are increasingly interested in the production of medicinal herbs products cultivated in olive groves, the Noćnjak programme included these interesting topics through education, product presentations and good practice examples.
These topics were discussed during an expert convention on medicinal herbs, with special guests, experts from the Federal Agro-Mediterranean Institute in Mostar.
A study tour of practical olive growing (terrain, oileries etc.) was scheduled on Saturday, as well as guided tours to Hvar, Milna, Svirač, Jelsa and Stari Grad – Faros.
All in all, the awards ceremony and champions ball of the Noćnjak 2017 were the most attended by participants, declared by Lordan Ljubenkov and Želimir Bašić, President and Assembly President of the Cooperative Alliance of Dalmatia as the most successful yet.
