Vermont cheesemakers had a record year at the 2026 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, earning 54 awards across the state.
The annual competition received 1,592 cheese and cultured dairy product entries in 123 categories. Products were evaluated through blind tastings by professionals from academia, dairy science, culture manufacturing, food retail, and distribution.
Food Connects is proud to work with six of this year’s winning producers. Thirteen of their award-winning cheeses are currently available through our wholesale catalog.
Grafton Village Cheese
Grafton Village Cheese earned three awards for its sheep’s milk cheeses. Bear Hill received first place in the aged sheep’s milk category, Storyteller received second place in the American-made international-style category, and Shepsog received third place in the cheddar category.
Jasper Hill Farm
Jasper Hill Farm’s seasonal Winnimere was named Best of Show. Four additional Jasper Hill cheeses available through Food Connects also earned recognition: Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, Moses Sleeper, and Willoughby each received first place in their categories, while Alpha Tolman received third place in the open washed-rind category. Winnimere is currently out of stock in the Hub, but will be back soon!
Maplebrook Farm
Maplebrook Farm received two first-place awards. Its Freshmade Mozzarella topped the fresh mozzarella category, while its Feta earned first place among cow’s milk fetas.
Plymouth Cheese
Plymouth Cheddar received third place in the aged cheddar category for cheeses aged 13 to 23 months.
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms 2-Year Cheddar earned second place in the mature cheddar category for cheeses aged 24 to 47 months.
Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company
Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company received first place for its Maple Bacon Cheddar in the flavored cheddar category. Its Vermont Farm Brie received third place among soft-ripened cheeses. The producer’s new Smoked Brie (comiung soon to the Hub) also earned third place and is coming soon.
Congratulations to the cheesemakers, production teams, and regional dairy farmers behind this year’s winners. Wholesale customers can order these award-winning cheeses through the Food Connects catalog and bring some of the region’s best to their shelves, displays, and menus!