A Northland olive oil producer has picked up two medals at an international olive oil competition in California.
Mangonui olive oil co-operative Ocean View Olive Estate won two silver awards at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
"I had my fingers crossed," owner and olive grower Julie Mays said. "We are all very happy and very proud."
Their Frantoio blend and lemon-infused Frantoio blend won silver in the Southern Hemisphere robust and infused categories respectively, beating some 450 other entries from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and elsewhere.
It was the first time Ocean View had entered any competition.
Ms Mays said the lemon-infused oil was the company's best seller.
"I think people are becoming more educated in what is good and not so good oil, and flavour is a big part of it.
"To get the right flavour for the olives it's all about picking - not too early and not too late. It's all in the pressing and how the olives are harvested."
The company was founded in 2005 and has about 15 groves contributing to the annual harvest.