Vermont Cheese Council Members captured the attention of the nation at the United States Championship Cheese Contest® hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The competition is the most respected and honored cheese and butter competition in the U.S., and includes technical evaluation quality cheeses, butter, cultured products, and dry dairy ingredients. The 2025 Championships saw more than 2,400 products sampled in more than 110 categories over the course of the 22nd biennial competition.

Cabot Creamery Cooperative/Agri-Mark received seven first place rankings among their 15 total ribbons, leading the way in cheddar, natural slices, and shredded cheese classes, as well as the “Sour Cream” category for their Cabot Creme Fraiche. Agri-Mark (Middlebury, VT) also received two first place finishes in the “Whey” category.

Jasper Hill Farm (Greensboro, VT) and Cabot partnered on a blue ribbon win in the “Natural Rhined Cheddar” category with Cabot Clothbound, as well as a nomination for best overall. Jasper Hill received the “Best of Class” with their Bayley Hazen Blue, Withersbrook Blue, and Willoughby. Willoughby was also nominated for best overall.

von Trapp Farmstead (Waitsfield, VT) took home second place in the “Blue Veined Cheeses” category for their Mad River Blue, and Springbrook Farm Cheese (Reading, VT) was both awarded a blue ribbon in the Raclette category for its Reading cheese, and nominated for best overall cheese.

Vermont Creamery (Websterville, VT) represented strong across the goat-cheese categories, including a first place finish for their Blueberry, Lemon & Thyme Goat Cheese.

The Vermont Cheese Council issues a standing ovation to these award-winning cheeses and their producers.

The Vermont Cheesemakers Council is a nonprofit trade association with 40 members. Its mission to dedicated to the production and advancement of Vermont cheese. The Vermont Cheese Council publishes the Vermont Cheese Trail Map, hosts both the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival (August 10) and Vermont Cheese Week (September 6-13), as well as programs educational events including an annual Artisan Cheesemakers Conference and nine-week Business Miniversity Course for cheesemakers, farmers, and food producers of all flavors.

For additional information, please contact Haley Elkins, Executive Director, at haley@vtcheese.com or 802-451-8654. For a list of all award winners, please visit: uschampionship.org/results/