Aristoleo Awards

05/06/2026

EVOLIA olive oil brand is a premium producer based in Greece, led by its owner and founder, Evangelia Gkionis.

The brand is closely associated with the growing "High Phenolic" movement in the Mediterranean, which treats extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as a functional health product rather than just a culinary ingredient.

The EVOLIA Organic Brand

EVOLIA is characterized by its focus on therapeutic-grade olive oil. The brand’s identity is built on several key pillars:

Scientific Certification: The oils are specifically produced to maximize levels of biophenols like Oleocanthal and Oleacein. These compounds are measured and certified (often through NMR analysis) to ensure they meet the EU health claim standards for protecting blood lipids from oxidative stress.

Early Harvest Production: To achieve its high antioxidant profile, EVOLIA utilizes early-harvest organic green olives. While this yields less oil than harvesting ripe olives, it preserves the volatile compounds responsible for the oil's medicinal properties.

Flavor Profile: Consistent with high-polyphenol oils, EVOLIA is known for a robust, "peppery" finish and a distinct bitterness. In the world of high-end olive oil, these sensory traits are prized as indicators of the oil's potency and freshness.

Evangelia Gkionis: The Visionary

Evangelia Gkionis is recognized as a dedicated producer and entrepreneur who has positioned her brand at the intersection of traditional Greek agriculture and modern wellness.

Educational Advocacy: Gkionis is often noted for her efforts to educate consumers on how to use high-phenolic oil effectively. She advocates for "microdosing"—taking small, consistent daily amounts of the oil (similar to a supplement) rather than just cooking with it, to maintain the integrity of the heat-sensitive phenols.

Quality Standards: She is a frequent participant and award-winner in international competitions that focus on health-protective properties (such as the Aristoleo Awards). Her leadership is defined by a commitment to transparency, providing chemical breakdowns of each harvest to prove the health-giving value of the product.

The "Liquid Gold" Philosophy: Gkionis often frames her work through the lens of ancient wisdom, viewing olive oil as the "liquid gold" described by Homer—not just for flavor, but for longevity and physical vitality.

This year has the highest concentration of active bniophenols and has won the Triple Gold Award at the the Aristoleo Awards 2026.
There is still time to enter the Aristoleo Awards please register here:

The brand has become a staple for those seeking "food is medicine," particularly among wellness communities in Europe and North America who prioritize anti-inflammatory diets.

Sells out quickly so order soon.
contact: euagkioni@gmail.com
https://evolia.gr

05/06/2026

The Terra Centuria brand is a standout in the boutique olive oil world, defined by its bridge between ancient Roman tradition and cutting-edge molecular science. Based in the village of Marezige in Slovenian Istria, the brand has gained international acclaim—most notably for its exceptionally high polyphenol content, which positions its products as much as much for its "medicinal quality" as they are a culinary staple.

A consistent Aristoleo Award winner and a producer you can trust.

The Scientist: Dr. Danijel Stojković Kukulin

The driving force behind Terra Centuria is Dr. Danijel Stojković Kukulin, a biochemist and specialist in molecular genetics and biotechnology. His approach to olive oil is fundamentally scientific:

Molecular Precision: Rather than relying solely on traditional lore, Dr. Kukulin applies his expertise in biotechnology to optimize the harvest and milling process. He focuses on the chemical profile of the oil, specifically targeting high levels of polyphenols (antioxidants).

The "Health Claim" Focus: Under his guidance, Terra Centuria produced oils with phenolic counts exceeding 1,600 mg/kg (reaching as high as 1,849 mg/kg in recent batches). This is far above the EU threshold for health-claim labeling, making the oil a "superfood" with proven anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits.

Methodology: He advocates for early harvesting—picking olives while they are still green and unripe—to maximize health properties, even though this results in a lower oil yield.

Organizing and Educating the Region

Dr. Kukulin does not view his scientific methods as a trade secret; instead, he has been a vocal leader in organizing the Terra Centuria Cooperative. His efforts are centered on elevating the entire region’s output through several key initiatives:

The Cooperative Model: By establishing the cooperative in 2020, he brought together local growers to share knowledge, equipment, and a unified brand identity. This collective approach helps small-scale Istrian farmers compete on a global stage.

The "Organic Mission": A core part of his outreach is educating growers on regenerative and organic farming. He pushes for a move away from chemical pesticides, emphasizing that the health of the soil directly impacts the molecular quality of the oil.

Standardizing Excellence: He works to teach other growers the technical side of "High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil" (HP EVOO). This includes training them on precise harvest timing, temperature-controlled milling, and oxygen-free storage—factors that are often overlooked in more casual, traditional farming.

Advocacy and Recognition: Dr. Kukulin was recently honored at the Postira Symposium for his contributions to the "Adriatic Olive Oil Renaissance." He is frequently cited as a pioneer who is helping transition Slovenian olive growing from a hobbyist tradition into a world-class, science-led industry.

Brand Identity

The name itself—Terra Centuria—refers to the Roman centuria, a land measurement and tactical unit. It reflects a brand that is deeply rooted in the history of the Istrian landscape but operates with the discipline and rigor of a laboratory. To a consumer, the brand is described as intense, bitter, and spicy—all sensory hallmarks of the high antioxidant levels Dr. Kukulin works so hard to preserve.

Terra Centuria is a proud winner of the Double Gold Award at the Aristoleo Awards 2026

05/05/2026

John Kyriakou the CIA agent who blew the whistle on the CIA torture program understands Aristoleo's struggle. 14 years later we are still standing and so is he!
When I heard he was facing hard economic times when he was released from jail I immediately reached out to him because I could relate to his struggle. Although I was not jailed for telling the truth it came close. I was falsely accused of deliberate misrepresentation and libel and was dragged through the court system in Greece for 5 years. Witnesses who were also PhDs stepped forward and perjured themselves but were not immediately taken in to custody because the judge said it was not a lie it was an exaggeration... but I was dragged through the court system for telling the truth... More on this story when my book is published. Thank you John you are a real Greek willing to step up and tell the truth even when it hurts.
Aristoleo Awards, is more than a competition its the source of a wellness movement that has deep roots. TASTED TESTED & TRUE. Take part in the most progressive competition for High Phenolic EVOO and Olives. The official Aristoleo Award presentation ceremony will be at Aigina Island on Jun 8 2026
Integrity is not a slogan it is a courageous act to stand for the truth no matter what the cost!
The following are some great examples of courage as well.
https://evolia.gr Sparta Greece

https://terracenturia.com Slovenia

https://laconiko.com/collections/olive-oils Lakonia Greece

geosakel@gmail.com Sakellaropoulos Sparta Greece

Silvia.Just@monterosso.si Monte Rosso Istra Croatia

info@efkrato.gr. EFKRATO Crete

arancha.salamanques@deoleo.com Carapelli ORO VERDE Italy

Strakka Ltd Cyprus

04/28/2026

Laconiko does it again! Another 2 Golds for ZOI and OLIO NUOVO respectively and 2 Silver awards for their Estate EVOO and a New brand called Kambos from their own estate at NYIOOC.
Looks like there is a new generation of the Pierrakos Family eager to get involved as well.
Congratulations!
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Laconiko won two Gold and two Silver Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC, with wins for Laconiko ZOI and Olio Nuovo Reserve plus Silvers for Laconiko and Laconiko Kambos.

04/27/2026

Terra Centuria earned a double gold Aristoleo Award in 2026 for their super organic and flavourful high phenolic EVOO.
Daniejel is not only an olive grower but is also a scientist always searching for ways to increase the phenolic content without reducing the exquisite taste of the variety native to Slovenia.
He continues to increase the quality and fine tune his methodology and teach others in his area to work as team. He is succeeding in all areas through shear determination and willpower. The rest nature takes care of it. This is what high phenolic EVOO does. It inspires, energizes and moves us humans to try harder to reach for excellence. it certainly has for me and I ma happy to see everyone in the Aristoleo Awards is affected in the same way. This si what the Aristoleo Awards are all about sharing an inspiration, a vision, a feeling and emotion of fearlessness when attempting something new...
https://terracenturia.com

04/26/2026

Philosophy and polyphenols? In olive oil competitions? when did this happen? Stick around long enough and you will influence your environment. This si living proof. What's next a dancing master of ceremonies? :) Congratulations Danijel and your whole team great work I am so proud of you!

We are proud to share this moment with you.

At the Olio Nuovo Days 2026 – Paris Quality Awards, Terra Centuria has been recognized with two outstanding distinctions:
🏆 Best in Class – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
🥇 Premium Gold – High Phenolic Category

A recognition of both exceptional quality and natural richness in polyphenols — where taste meets purpose.

Crafted for those who value not only what they taste, but what they nourish their body with.

04/26/2026

Meet Sophia Vari an internationally recognized artist recently deceased made her home in Medellin with her husband Fernando Botero. Greeks were never designed to stay in one place.
They got into their little boats and travelled to faraway lands learning and sharing their insights and direct knowledge. They did not leave their land because of forced exile. They willingly left their families friends and their beloved land and sea to spread their new found knowledge and gain even more by sharing it with the world.

I am not speaking about Alexander the Great who is so celebrated but in reality he made a mess of fit by leaving a legacy of destruction when his generals declared themselves to be pharaohs or kings after Alexanders untimely death. I am speaking about the pre-socratics who had travelled up the Nile and met with the Black Pharaohs more than 3,000 years ago and exchanged knowledge. The Greeks that made it all the way to present day UK, Denmark and Germany. They may have even reached North and South America and even Antarctica. They were also the navigators on the first ships to arrive in the Americas with Christopher Columbus.

I have seen with my own eyes Greek olive growers get inspired to such a degree they were willing to sacrifice everything to produce the best and highest phenolic EVOO they could. Not because of increased profits but because they were captivated again by a sense of adventure.

The same with other mediterranean cultures like Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus. Now it is spreading to the Southern hemisphere and Oceania (New Zealand, Australia, Tanzania) and even China and Japan. This is a huge development that has redefined olive oil in the same way as Sophia Vari and Fernando Botero redefined art. You see now how it all ties in?
This is what is happening again with high phenolic EVOO. We are taking it to all the cultures on this planet and either rekindling their knowledge or introducing them to this indescribably complex health enhancing product rich in the main active bio-phenols such as oleocanthal. oleacein, oleuropein ligstroside and ligstroside aglycone.

I am in beautiful Medellin rediscovering my artistic passion and making new friends by introducing them to high phenolic EVOO, despite a deadly diagnosis of castrate resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Kept alive by modern medicine and boosted by daily consumption of high phenolic EVOO.

This article discusses the success of Sophia Vari through various exhibitions containing her paintings, collages and sculptures.

04/15/2026

SAKELLAROPOULOS HIGH PHENOLIC EVOOs and HIGH PHENOLIC OLIVES win a total of 11 ARISTOLEO AWARDS!

HIGH PHENOLIC EVOOs
3 DOUBLE GOLD
1 GOLD
1 SILVER

HIGH PHENOLIC OLIVES
2 TRIPLE GOLD
4 DOUBLE GOLD

Congratulations Giorgos and Nikos Sakellaropoulos and to the whole family! After winning the best olive grower in the world honors, we are very pleased that he entered the Aristoleo Awards once again!
Wellness never tasted so good!
This year the Aristoleo Awards official ceremony will be held in Aigina Island on Monday June 8 2026

11th ANNUAL ARISTOLEO AWARDS 2026 High Phenolic EVOO & High Phenolic Olives This year we celebrate more than a decade of the most exciting project

03/15/2026

All the high phenolic EVOOs participating in the Aristoleo Awards qualify for the EU labelling health Claim for polyps nils..
https://aristoleo.com/aristoleo-awards/aristoleo-awards-2026-winners/
https://youtu.be/Y47msnqr0RA

EVOO Marilyn Harding interviews Athan Gadanidis. Aristoleo.com is an independent platform dedicated to the advancement, measurement, and recognition of High-...

03/15/2026

If you want something done its best to start doing it yourself and they will come....

After COVID, cancelled funding, and years of resistance, we realized no one else was going to protect this category.

03/12/2026

Laconiko (Olive Oil) wins Double GOLD for ZOI, GOLD for Olio Nuovo, and SILVER for Estate EVOO.
Looks like this year promises to be an other successful year for Laconiko (Olive Oil).
Their new facility in Manassas is open to the retail public, and for special events or catering.
Must visit if you are anywhere near their location!

https://laconiko.com/collections/olive-oils