MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin cheesemakers were honored for their expertise at the recent American Cheese Society Competition in Montréal, Québec, capturing 78 ribbons. Of 1,676 total entries (a record number), Wisconsin cheesemakers claimed 23 percent of all awards, winning more than any other state or country for the seventh year in a row. America's Dairyland's 78 awards included a tie for second place in the prestigious Best of Show category, as well as 22 firsts, 24 seconds and 31 third places.
Several Wisconsin cheesemakers had outstanding performances, including Carr Valley Cheese, which landed 13 ribbons, including a Best of Show second place for Cave Aged Marisa. Hidden Springs Creamery captured the second most ribbons for Wisconsin, with a total of seven awards, and Sartori Company took home six ribbons.
First place ribbons went to:
- Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Waterloo: Mascarpone
- Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe: Brick, Tomato & Basil Feta
- Burnett Dairy Co-op, Grantsburg: Monterey Jack
- Carr Valley Cheese Co., Inc., LaValle: Cocoa Cardona, Cave Aged Mellage, Casa Bolo Mellage, Cave Aged Marisa
- Holland's Family Cheese, Thorp: Marieke Gouda Cumin, Marieke Gouda Smoked Cumin
- Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., Black Creek: Blue Cheese
- Hook's Cheese Company, Inc., Mineral Point: Little Boy Blue
- Emmi Roth USA Inc., Monroe: Gran Queso Reserve
- Sartori Company, Plymouth: Sartori Parmesan, Sartori Reserve Black Pepper BellaVitano
- BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Denmark: Fresh Mozzarella Thermoform, Burrata
- Hidden Springs Creamery, Westby: Farmstead Feta, Driftless – Cranberry
- LaClare Farms Specialties LLC, Chilton: Evalon with Fenugreek, Evalon
- Uplands Cheese, Dodgeville: Pleasant Ridge Reserve
In addition to landing the most first place awards, Wisconsin cheesemakers swept four categories: Flavor-Added Dutch Style, Parmesan – all milks, Rindless Blue-veined made from cow's milk and Flavor-Added made with fresh sheep's milk. Wisconsin also took top honors in the number of awards for cow's milk cheeses (including mixed milk) with 57 awards.
Editor Note: Photos available upon request.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a nonprofit organization funded by the state's dairy farmers, promotes the consumption of Wisconsin Cheese and other dairy products.
Source: The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
