Fact: most people move to Oregon for the cheese. The small fraction of those who move here for other reasons, like, say, a job, are pleasantly surprised when they discover that we produce some of the greatest aged dairy in the country. Our cheese-obsessed state strutted its stuff, as it does every year, at the America Cheese Society’s 36^th Annual Cheese Competition held in Richmond, Virginia, where Oregon took home 14 wins. 

First place accolades went to Don Froylan (Albany) for their fresh mozzarella , Tillamook County Creamery Association (Tillamook) for their Monterey jack, and Face Rock Creamery (Bandon) for their flavored cheddar.

By George Farm (Applegate Valley) and Rogue Creamery (Grant’s Pass) rounded our winners out by raking in three awards each. Check out the complete list of award-winners here. 

Looking to get a taste of our medalists? Check out The Wedge, a farmer’s market-style cheese festival at Portland’s Alder Block (100 SE Alder St) on Oct. 15.

Is that not enough for you, dairy fiends? Well get this: the next American Cheese Society Competition, Festival of Cheese, and accompanying conference will be held in Portland(!) in July 2020! Visit cheesesociety.org for updates.