haley

The 2025 ACS competition saw 9 Vermont cheesemakers along with two collaborations with Wegmans Food Stores (Rochester, NY) and Murray’s Cheese (New York, NY) awarded 49 ribbons at the American Cheese Society Conference in Sacramento, California.

Awarded Vermont cheesemakers were Boston Post Dairy, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Fat Sheep Farm, Grafton Village Cheese, Jasper Hill Farm, Shelburne Farms, Spring Brook Farm, von Trapp Farmstead, and Vermont Creamery, including one 2nd Place Best in Show for Jasper Hill Farm’s Withersbrook Blue.

The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of farmstead, artisan, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. Since its founding in 1983, ACS hosts North America’s foremost annual cheese-based educational conference, and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. This year’s event was held in Sacramento, CA, nicknamed The City of Cheese. The conference alternates each year between coasts and the middle of the country. Next year’s ACS event will take place in Louisville, KY on July 7- July 10, 2026.

Fifteen Vermont cheesemakers submitted cheeses for judging at the prestigious competition this year, due in part to the VCC’s program for ACS entry fee reimbursement. The VCC reimburses Vermont cheesemakers for competition entry fees up to a certain amount to support their efforts in showcasing their cheese in a competitive setting, as well as to build support for this important competition. All competitors are given judging notes for their products which are helpful in evaluating the cheeses and in some cases, improving the quality of production of cheeses. The VCC finds this aspect of the competition an invaluable educational tool for its members.

“This year’s ACS Award Recipients make us Vermonters proud,” said Vermont Cheese Council President Andi Wandt. “Our brave little state continues to be a star in the national cheese stage thanks to the passion of these hardworking cheesemakers and farmers.”

Winning Cheeses from Vermont

For Immediate Release

Shelburne, VT (May 2025) The Vermont Cheesemakers Festival will celebrate its 13th anniversary in the historic Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms on August 10, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 4 PM to celebrate the art of cheesemaking in Vermont. Attendees can meet cheesemakers and taste the cheeses of Vermont, enjoy the creations of artisan food producers, savor the local wine and cider production, and experience the skills of craft brewers and master distillers. This year, Platinum Sponsors include Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Shelburne Farms, Vermont Creamery, and Vermont Dairy Farmers. Gold Sponsors include Farm Credit East and Reiser, and Silver Sponsors include Jasper Hill Farm, Maplebrook Farm + Ploughgate Creamery, and Provisions International.

Along with 30+ Vermont cheesemakers, this year’s event will include over 40 food and beverage producers. Enjoy seemingly endless options for tasting, sampling, and pairing opportunities. An industry-only sampling period will also be offered from 10:00am-11:30am, allowing chefs, retailers, grocery buyers, distributors, food + media, and other food industry personnel to make connections directly with makers in a more intimate setting. Live music will be provided by Hot Pickin’ Party, as well as food trucks for additional dining options in a relaxed atmosphere.

“The Vermont Cheese Council is thrilled for the Festival’s return to Shelburne Farms,” says Andi Wandt, President. “As a historic gathering place, I can think of no better venue to celebrate than the gorgeous Breeding Barn. Bring your friends and your appetite (and coolers too!) to celebrate all things Vermont cheese.”

Tickets for the Festival itself are $69.50 per person for general admission or $90 for the industry professional sampling period (which also includes the general public portion of the festival). Tickets are available online at vtcheese.com/festival. The Festival traditionally sells out in advance of the event date, so early ticket reservations are encouraged.

The Vermont Cheese Council operates the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival. The Council has been in existence since 1996. There are currently 41 members in the council. The Vermont cheese industry represents $650M in annual sales in Vermont. The Vermont dairy sector is the largest portion of the annual agricultural sales in the state and represents thousands of jobs, and thousands of acres of farmland in the working landscape of Vermont.

Editors Note: A limited number of complimentary press passes are available. Please contact Haley Elkins at haley@vtcheese.com.

Media Contact: Haley Elkins, Executive Director, at 802.451.8564 or haley@vtcheese.com

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/