Pierce Point earns Best of Class and Wagon Wheel Reserve scores among the world’s top washed rind cheeses
Cowgirl Creamery is proud to announce outstanding results from this year’s World Championship Cheese Contest, with Pierce Point earning Best of Class in the Soft-Ripened, Flavored Cheese category with a score of 99.925.
In addition, Wagon Wheel Reserve, Cowgirl Creamery’s newest cheese in the marketplace, placed fourth with a score of 99.5 in the Washed Rind/Smear Ripened 9+ Months category, an exceptionally competitive class dominated by some of the world’s finest cheeses. Cowgirl Creamery was the only U.S. cheesemaker represented in the category’s top five.
Matt Brown, Plant Manager at Cowgirl Creamery, says the team’s performance in this international competition is powerful validation of the team’s craftsmanship.
“Learning to make cheese in the U.S., I always looked to the history and craftsmanship of the European artisans as a level of quality we could only dream to aspire to. We feel so fortunate to even be entering cheeses into competitions judged against the best in the world, but to have our cheeses recognized among the very best is truly special. It proves to our cheesemaking team that they are on par with the top cheesemakers of the world.”
Pierce Point: A Longtime Favorite Earns Global Recognition
Pierce Point has been beloved by both Cowgirl Creamery staff and customers for years. Its Best of Class win showcases the cheese’s unique character, flavor and beauty.
“Pierce Point perfectly captures the essence and beauty of spring and early summer pastures in Northern California,” said Brown. “The bright colors invite you in, and the herbaceous flavor profile marries perfectly with the rich triple cream paste.”
Wagon Wheel Reserve: A Newcomer with World Class Flavor
Wagon Wheel Reserve’s high score underscores the strength and potential of Cowgirl’s newest aged cheeses.
“We understand the history and depth of these styles—made for thousands of years—with countries like France and Switzerland offering Comté and Le Gruyère as some of their best to the world,” explained Brown. “These cheeses rely on so many of the most romantic aspects of artisan production: perfecting a recipe, giving it time in the aging space, and most importantly the quality of the milk.
Wagon Wheel and Wagon Wheel Reserve, to me, represent what our area of the world has to offer—impeccable pasture and amazing milk—captured and transformed into something best enjoyed nearly a year later.”
These achievements highlight Cowgirl Creamery’s continued leadership in American artisan cheese and the dedication of the cheesemakers at its Cader facility.