The California State Fair proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Commercial Cheese Competition, recognizing excellence in cheesemaking from across the state. This year’s competition showcased the finest cheeses crafted by both small artisan producers and large-scale cheese production companies. A distinguished panel of 12 judges, led by Head Judge Phillip Tong, evaluated 113 entries based on appearance, aroma, texture, and taste.
Best of Show Winners
Best of Show – Cow’s Milk:
Marin French Cheese Co. – Golden Gate
Marin French Cheese Co. took home the prestigious Best of Show award for cow’s milk cheese with their Golden Gate washed rind cheese. This triple crème cheese is a part of their new California Originals line, developed for the evolved tastes of the modern cheese lover. Inspired by the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this cheese undergoes a 14-day aging process where it is hand-washed with brine, allowing coastal cultures to flourish.
“We know how many wonderful cheeses are made here in California, so this is an accomplishment that makes us especially proud,” said Bonnie Kaufman, Brand Manager. “Golden Gate is a true taste of terroir, inspired by the iconic bridge that leads you to Marin County and reliant on our salty coastal air for its color and flavor. Winning this award for a cheese that celebrates California is a fitting and rewarding honor.”
With a deep, savory flavor, pungent aroma, and gooey texture, Golden Gate is an ideal choice for cheese boards and pairing with bold flavors.
Best of Show – Other Milk Type:
Pennyroyal Farm – Boont Corners Reserve
Pennyroyal Farm secured the Best of Show award for other milk types with Boont Corners Reserve, made from fresh, raw goat’s milk. Inspired by traditional French mountain cheeses, this cheese is crafted during the summer months when the milk is lower in fat, allowing it to age beautifully for up to 12 months. The result is a firm-textured cheese with a complex, sweet, and nutty flavor, ideal for grating. The cheese is named after “The Corners,” the historic site of Boonville, near Pennyroyal Farm. This is the third Best in Show win for Boont Corners Reserve at the CA State Fair over the last 10 years.
“I take it as a sign that we have been able to maintain a consistently high-quality cheese over the years, which is a reflection of and validation of not only of the recipe, but our staff, our animals, and our practices both on the dairy and in the creamery,” said Erika McKenzie-Chapter, Cheesemaker. “My 7-year-old is going to ask if she can ‘keep this one’. She adores the two previous Golden Bears we have earned with this cheese. She even tells me she wants to create her own recipe so she can enter and win, so this award is already encouraging a future generation of cheesemakers.”
2025 Best of California Award Winners
Cow’s Milk Cheese
•Cultured Cheese: Stepladder Creamery – Spicy Fromage Blanc
•Soft Cheese: Sierra Nevada Cheese – Gina Marie Fresh Farmer Cheese
•Semi-Soft Cheese: Marin French Cheese Co. – Golden Gate
•Semi-Hard Cheese: Joseph Farms – Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar
•Hard Cheese: Point Reyes Farmstead – Point Reyes Gouda
Other Milk Type Cheese
•Cultured Cheese: Stepladder Creamery – Chevre
•Soft Cheese: Sierra Nevada Cheese – Bella Capra Goat Chevre
•Semi-Soft Cheese: Pennyroyal Farms – Fratty Corners
•Semi-Hard Cheese: Pennyroyal Farms – Boont Corners 2 Month
•Hard Cheese: Pennyroyal Farms – Boont Corners Reserve
The competition’s judges, composed of cheese merchants, writers, promoters, and educators, assessed entries across multiple divisions and classes, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.
For a complete list of the award-winning cheeses, visit Calexpostatefair.com.
The California State Fair will recognize Marin French Cheese Co. and Pennyroyal Farm at a special award presentation on Monday, July 21, 2025, during the California State Fair. Additionally, all Best of Show and Best of California winning cheeses will be displayed in the California Kitchen Exhibit Building B throughout the fair’s duration, July 11 through July 27, 2025. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State’s future.
The California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is now open and accepting entries from California wine producers. The competition provides an opportunity for California wine producers to showcase their best wines and have them evaluated by a panel of expert judges.
The California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition is now open and accepting entries exclusively from cheese makers in California. The competition is a celebration of the rich history and diversity of California’s cheese industry.