Cowgirl Creamery Makes Finals at 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest, Earns Two Awards
PETALUMA, CA – Cowgirl Creamery, a leader in artisan cheesemaking, proudly celebrates a major achievement at the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest. The creamery earned a spot among the coveted Top 20 Cheese finalists and was honored with Best of Class recognition for Hop Along. Wagon Wheel earned the Silver Award in the same category.
Best of Class and Top 20 Cheese, Washed Rind/Smear Ripened Semi-soft Cheeses, Hop Along
Hop Along, Cowgirl Creamery’s cider-washed masterpiece, captured a Best in Class award for its bold character and nuanced flavors. Crafted exclusively with organic milk from Sonoma County, this semi-firm cheese is aged for 45 days to achieve its signature silky texture. The cider wash infuses aromatic notes of apple and brioche, making it both approachable for casual cheese enjoyers and complex enough for connoisseurs. With versatility at its core, Hop Along is perfect for pairing with fresh fruits, charcuterie, or unique beverages like kombucha and sweet ciders.
Silver Award, Washed Rind/Smear Ripened Semi-soft Cheeses, Wagon Wheel
Sharing the spotlight is Wagon Wheel, an iconic creation from Cowgirl Creamery. This cheese delights with its nutty profile and versatile nature. Whether served as a snack or melted into “liquid gold,” Wagon Wheel impresses with its flavors of salted brown butter, roasted leeks, and garlic. Crafted with the same dedication to organic ingredients and traditional methods, this cheese is a staple for chefs, home cooks, and turophiles.
“It is such an honor for our production team and creamery to have our cheeses recognized as some of the very best in the country alongside producers of such a high caliber,” said Matt Brown, Head Cheesemaker and Plant Manager for Cowgirl Creamery. “After nearly 30 years of Cowgirl Creamery cheese, it is still such a point of pride for me to work with a talented team that chooses to constantly strive to be better and make exceptional organic cheeses. It is so motivating to be given the opportunity to showcase our craft at this prestigious competition, but to land in the Top 20 is a huge accomplishment for our team.”
Both Hop Along and Wagon Wheel embody Cowgirl Creamery’s mission to create exceptional organic cheeses that connect people to the terroir of Northern California. These awards reflect the creamery’s legacy and position as a leader in artisan cheesemaking in California and across the United States.
Experience Award-Winning Cheeses
Cowgirl Creamery’s award-winning Hop Along and Wagon Wheel are available for purchase at select retailers or online.
About Cowgirl Creamery
Founded in 1997 by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, Cowgirl Creamery is devoted to crafting organic, artisan cheeses that reflect the bounty of Northern California. Using locally sourced, organic milk, the creamery blends tradition, sustainability, and creativity to produce cheese made with heart in Sonoma County. Learn more at cowgirlcreamery.com.