Vermont Cheesemakers Earn 33 Awards at World Cheese Awards
Green Mountain State's artisan producers shine on international stage in Switzerland
Vermont cheesemakers have secured at least 33 awards at the 2025 World Cheese Awards, establishing the state as a powerhouse in the international artisan cheese industry. The competition, held this week in Bern, Switzerland, drew more than 5,244 entries from 46 countries.
The 37th edition of the awards took place over three days, marking the first time the competition has been hosted in Switzerland. The event is organized annually by the Guild of Fine Food and rotates between host countries to highlight local cheesemaking traditions and food culture.
Vermont’s Top Performers
Two Vermont producers earned the competition’s highest honor of Super Gold. Withersbrook Blue from Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm and West West Blue from Parish Hill Creamery were recognized among the elite tier of entries.
Gold medal winners included Gisele (aged 8 months) from Boston Post Dairy, Reverie from Parish Hill Creamery, and two cheeses from Vermont Creamery: Clover Blossom Honey Goat Cheese and Cremont.
Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm led Vermont producers with multiple awards across categories, earning five Silver medals for Cabot Clothbound, Willoughby, Moses Sleeper, Harbison, and Bayley Hazen Blue.
Additional Silver awards went to Green Mountain Blue Cheese for Madison Blue, Mt. Mansfield Creamery, Parish Hill Creamery (four cheeses), Vermont Creamery for Hooper, and von Trapp Farmstead for Mt Alice and Mad River Blue.
Bronze medals were awarded to nine Vermont producers, including Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Grafton Village Cheese Company, and several returning winners.
International Competition
A Swiss Gruyère AOP produced by Bergkäserei Vorderfultigen took the World Champion title, with judges praising its crystalline texture and “brothy, umami” flavor. The 18-month aged cheese was described by one judge as having “butterscotch, caramel” notes with “some fruit-funk notes” and “slight burn on there like charcoal”.
The competition featured 265 judges from around the world, who evaluated cheeses based on appearance, aroma, body, texture, and flavor. Entries were up nine percent over last year.
Vermont’s Growing Reputation
The strong showing builds on Vermont’s reputation as a premier cheesemaking region. Nine Vermont producers were recognized in this year’s competition: Boston Post Dairy, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm, Grafton Village Cheese Company, Green Mountain Blue Cheese, Mt. Mansfield Creamery, Parish Hill Creamery, Vermont Creamery, and von Trapp Farmstead.
The awards represent Vermont’s largest medal haul at the World Cheese Awards to date, though organizers noted they are still confirming the final list of winners.
The 2026 World Cheese Awards will take place in Córdoba, Spain.
The World Cheese Awards is organized by the Guild of Fine Food in collaboration with rotating host countries. Results are available at gff.co.uk.