Grafton, VT – Grafton Village Cheese, a business of the nonprofit Windham Foundation in Grafton, Vt., was awarded 9 medals at the 11thAnnual 2019 BIG E Gold Medal Cheese Competition. Grafton Village Cheese produces handmade aged cheddar and specialty cheese using milk from small family farms and sales support the work of the Windham Foundation, a nonprofit operating foundation that supports Vermont’s rural way of life.
Bear Hill, named for the bluff overlooking Grafton Village, is an Alpine style washed rind cheese made with 100% sheep’s milk and cave-aged for a minimum of five months. Its flavors are sweet, fruity and nutty with a long, savory finish.
Shepsog, the Algonquin word for ‘sheep,’ combines local sheep and cow’s milk, which is then cave-aged for at least five months. Its flavors are complex and earthy, alongside bright lemony flavors and a sweet, nutty finish.
Traditional Clothbound Cheddar Reserve is a cave-aged bandage-wrapped cheddar aged over 12 months. Its flavors are reminiscent of a traditional English style cheddar: grassy aroma, nutty body and a long savory finish.
Silver Medals were awarded for Grafton’s 1 year aged Cheddar, Traditional Clothbound Cheddar and Maple Smoked Cheddar; Bronze Medals for Truffle Cheddar and Smoked Chili Pepper Cheddar.
On July 31st, Grafton Village Cheese took home 3 awards from the 122ndInternational Cheese Awards held in Nantwich, England. This year’s competition featured a record breaking 5500 entries from around the world.
Best USA Cheese – Bear Hill – GOLD
Best USA Cheese – Traditional Clothbound Cheddar – GOLD
Best USA Cheese – Reserve Clothbound Cheddar – SILVER
On August 2nd, Grafton took home 3 awards at the American Cheese Society’s Judging & Competition. There were over 1700 entries at this year’s competition.
1stPlace & Best of Show Finalist – Shepsog
2ndPlace – Traditional Clothbound Cheddar
3rdPlace – Bear Hill
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About Grafton Village Cheese
Grafton Village Cheese of Grafton, Vt., was founded in 1892 as the Grafton Cooperative Cheese Company, which converted surplus milk from local dairy farmers into cheese. Today, Grafton Cheese aged cheddar and specialty cheeses are made using traditional methods and are recognized for quality and taste. Their cheeses can be found nationwide at specialty grocers and cheese markets, at its specialty cheese and wine shop in Brattleboro, Vt., and at MurraysCheese.com.
More on Grafton Village Cheese can be found at GraftonVillageCheese.com, Twitterand Instagram@graftoncheese and Facebook/graftonvillagecheese.
About the Windham Foundation
Headquartered in Grafton, Vermont, the Windham Foundation is an operating foundation engaged in philanthropic, charitable and educational activities. Since its inception in 1963, its mission is to promote the vitality of Grafton and Vermont’s rural communities through its philanthropic and educational programs and its subsidiaries, The Grafton Village Cheese Company and The Grafton Inn, whose operations contribute to these endeavors. More on the Windham Foundation can be found at www.Windham-Foundation.org
