GREENSBORO – Jasper Hill Farm won Best of Show with its Winnimere offering at the American Cheese Society (ACS) annual conference, July 7 to 10 in Louisville, Ky.
courtesy photo
Winnimere is a raw cow milk, spruce bark-wrapped washed rind cheese, made only during winter months when Jasper Hill’s Ayrshire cows are giving rich, hay-fed raw milk, said the company.
Winnimere’s first place showing was matched by firsts for the cheesemaker’s Moses Sleeper and Cabot Clothbound Black Label offerings.
Other Vermont companies did well too.
Cabot Creamery Cooperative received awards for its butter, crème fraîche, yogurt, cheddar and Gouda.
Vermont Creamery received multiple awards for its butters, plus St. Albans cheese.
Maplebrook Farm in North Bennington was awarded first place for its mozzarella and feta cheese offerings.
Grafton Village Cheese Company received awards for its Shepsog and Storyteller cheeses.
Green Mountain Blue Cheese in Highgate Center was awarded first place for its Madison Blue and third for Boucher Blue.
One thousand six hundred and thirty eight cheeses entered in the 2026 competition were awarded medals in 142 categories.
The ACS Judging & Competition is a technical and aesthetic evaluation of American-made cheeses. The winners are announced and celebrated at an awards ceremony during the ACS Annual Conference. By hosting the judging and competition, ACS spotlights American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry, both for their cheesemaking and commitment to food safety.
