At the Magnifico 2026, the best extra virgin olive oil is Sicilian

The best extra virgin olive oil for the Il Magnifico 2026 award is Picual Unico from the Sicilian company Miceli & Sensat

The best extra virgin olive oil for Il Magnifico 2026 is Sicilian. The XIV Edition of Il Magnifico 2026, dedicated to extra virgin olive oil, has confirmed the growing relevance of the Best European Extra Quality Olive Oil Award, which strengthens its role as an “Icon Maker” of excellence year after year. This prestigious recognition rewards the finest extra virgin olive oils on a European scale.

The title of “Il Magnifico 2026” was awarded to the Sicilian oil UNICO, produced by Miceli & Sensat in Roccamena (PA). It is a Picual monovarietal that blends Sicilian and Spanish culture into a unique expression, fully deserving the title of “European Oscar of Olive Oil”.

A key innovation this year is the structure of the jury, divided into technical (professional tasters), operational (chefs and industry experts), and popular panels, with the aim of assigning a score that reflects a broad and diverse range of perspectives.

The “Masterpiece” award has also been redesigned. Dedicated to productions under one thousand liters, it is represented by a satin-finished aluminum sculpture symbolizing the growing attention toward niche producers.

The 12 Top Oils of the 2026 Collection

• Miceli & Sensat – Unico (Sicily)
• Palazzo di Varignana – Brisighella DOP (Emilia–Romagna)
• Frantoio Franci – Delicate Maurino (Tuscany)
• Fonte di Foiano – Grand Cru (Tuscany)
• Azienda Agricola Viola – Colleruita DOP Umbria (Umbria)
• Azienda Decimi – Emozione (Umbria)
• Tommaso Masciantonio – Trappeto di Caprafico (Abruzzo)
• Azienda Agricola Marina Palusci – L’Uomo di Ferro, Dritta monovarietal (Abruzzo)
• Americo Quattrociocchi – Opera (Lazio)
• Sabino Leone – Don Gioacchino (Puglia)
• Azienda Donato Conserva – Mimì Premium Coratina (Puglia)
• Tenute Librandi – Nocellara del Belice (Calabria)

Other Awards

• Olive Oil Company of the Year 2026 – Sabino Leone (Puglia), already Magnifico in 2015, for consistent quality and the ability to interpret the harvest at its best.
• Menvra d’Oro – The Icon – awarded to Le Tre Colonne by Salvatore Stallone, entering the Hall of Fame as proof of long-standing excellence.
• Masterpiece – FOP, Maurino
• Best Web Communication – Palazzo di Varignana
• Best Hospitality – Tenute Librandi
• Heroic Producer – Giovanni Fabbri
• Olive Oil Personality 2026 – Marco Masini, chosen for his ability to combine emotional depth and authenticity.
• Olive Oil Ambassadors – Stefania Saccardi, Duccio Pistolesi, Eva Collini, Alexander Stabel

The closing dinner, curated by Emanuele Natalizio and Jarno Calonaci, offered a continuous dialogue between premium olive oils and gastronomic excellence. Among the protagonists were Armatore with its Cetara anchovies; Pasta Fabbri and Pasta Negri; Riso Maremma with its Tuscan rice varieties; and L’Orto Bioattivo, in collaboration with Il Magazzino del Gusto, bringing wholesome and flavorful vegetables to the table.

The tasting concluded with olive oil and chocolate pralines created by Cecilia Rabassi Tessieri together with Il Magnifico president Matia Barciulli; the creations of Opera Waiting, including a 10-kg extra virgin olive oil colomba; the Unico olive oil gelato by Vetulio Bondi, winner of Il Magnifico 2026; and the Gelato Magnifico crafted by Vetulio Bondi using the award-winning UNICO oil.