Sartori Cheese Takes Top Honors in Italian-Type Grating Category at 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — Sartori Cheese, known for award-winning craftsmanship and flavor innovation, today announced that its Classic Parmesan won first place in the Italian-type grating category at the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition.

ACS’s annual competition celebrates the technical and aesthetic standards of American cheesemaking. Sartori’s winning entry was recognized by judges for excellence among more than 1,600 products submitted by over 200 entering cheesemakers across the continent. The Grating Types category honors hard, aged cheeses prized for their concentrated flavor and firm appearances, spanning styles that include Aged Asiago, Parmesan, Grana, Reggianito, Romano and Sardo.

“Being recognized by the American Cheese Society is one of the highest compliments our team can receive because it comes from people who understand and love cheese as deeply as we do,” said Bert Sartori, CEO of Sartori Cheese. “This honor belongs to our cheesemakers, whose patience and care turn simple, high-quality milk into something worth celebrating. We’re proud to stand among so many talented makers who share our passion for the craft.”

The recognition adds to a long legacy of accolades for the family-owned creamery, which has handcrafted artisan cheese in Plymouth, Wisconsin, since 1939. This win is the fifth honor bestowed upon Sartori’s Classic Parmesan, which also won twice at Global Cheese Awards (third place in 2025, Gold Medal in 2016) and twice at World Cheese Awards (Silver Medal in 2017 and 2015). Now in its fourth generation, Sartori continues to pair time-honored techniques with an uncompromising attention to detail and the same commitment to quality reflected in this year’s award-winning cheese.

About Sartori Cheese:

Sartori, a fourth-generation family-owned company, has proudly produced award-winning, artisan cheese for customers worldwide since 1939. Rooted in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Sartori’s emphasis on a high-quality and handcrafted approach to cheesemaking is a timeless family tradition. To learn more about Sartori’s commitment to artisan cheesemaking, visit www. or connect with Sartori on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.