California Cheese and Dairy Producers Win a total of 51 Cheeses in
Annual Celebration of North American Makers
TRACY, Calif. – July 25, 2025 – Cow’s milk cheese and dairy processors that use the Real California Milk seal brought home 33 awards during the 2025 annual cheese competition held by the American Cheese Society (ACS) in Sacramento, California.
The American Cheese Society recognizes the finest cheeses and dairy products made in the Americas. A total of 1,588 cheese and cultured dairy products were entered into the competition.
California cheesemakers won a total of 51 awards – with Real California cow’s milk cheeses bringing home 33 prizes: 9 first place, 10 second place and 14 third place awards in this year’s judging. Highlights from these wins include:
- Marin French Cheese, Petaluma – 5 awards, 3rd place each for Petite Camembert, Petite Crème, Petite Jalapeno Triple Crème Brie, Prospector Black Truffle Triple Crème Brie, and Golden Gate Washed Rind Triple Crème.
- Marquez Brothers International, San Jose – 5 awards, 1st place each for Coconut Drinkable Yogurt and Guava Drinkable Yogurt, 2nd place each for Melon Drinkable Yogurt and Strawberry Drinkable Yogurt, and 3rd place for Pina Colada Drinkable Yogurt.
- Cowgirl Creamery, Petaluma – 3 awards, 1st Place for Red Hawk, 2nd Place for Wagon Wheel, and 3rd place for Pierce Point.
- Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Nicasio – 3 awards, 1st place and Highest Scoring Farmstead Cheese for Nicasio Square; 3rd place for Tomino and Foggy Morning.
- Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Willows – 3 awards, 2nd place each for Gina Marie Cream Cheese and Graziers Plain Yogurt; 3rd place for Organic Jack.
- Rumiano Cheese Company, Crescent City – 3 awards, 2nd place each for Rumiano Raised to Matter Original Ghee, Rumiano Organic Pepper Jack and Rumiano Dry Jack.
- Belfiore Cheese Company, Berkeley – 2 awards, 2nd place for Belfiore Feta in Brine; 3rd place for Belfiore Smoked Mozzarella.
- Di Stefano Cheese, Pomona– 2 awards, 1st place for Di Puglia Burrata Pugliese; 3rd place for Di Stefano Stracciatella.
- Joseph Farms, Atwater – 2 awards, 1st place for Monterey Jack; 2nd place for Whole Milk Mozzarella.
- Central Valley Cheese/Karoun, Turlock – 1 award, 3rd place for Labne.
- Fiscalini Farmstead, Modesto – 1 award, 3rd place for Lionza.
- Oakdale Cheese, Oakdale – 2 awards, 1st place each for Mild Gouda and Cumin Gouda.
- Stuyt Dairy Farmstead Cheese, Escalon – 1 award, 1st place for El Capitan.
In total, 13 Real California cow’s milk cheese and dairy companies won awards for products made with Real California Milk from the state’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the world. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company and Bellwether Farms also received awards, five and four respectively, for non-cow’s milk cheeses that do not carry the Real California Milk seal.
Non cow’s milk California cheesemakers had a strong showing with Cypress Grove picking up five awards, Shooting Star Creamery winning two, and Laura Chenel and Central Coast Creamery both winning 1 each.
California is the second largest cheese producing state in the nation, responsible for more than 2.4 billion pounds of cheese each year. Real California cheeses and dairy products are available at retailers throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Asia. For more information, visit: RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world. Connect with the CMAB at RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, X and Pinterest.
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