NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2017
Category Winners
Countdown Champion of Champions Cheese Award (Commercial)
Meyer Gouda Cheese
Meyer Smoked Goat Gouda
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Cheese Award (Artisan)
Mercer Cheese
Fifty Fifty
Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker Award
Catherine Oakley Just Ewe – Winsam Farm
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Meyer Fenugreek – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Meyer Smoked Goat Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Mad Millie Aspiring Cheesemaker Award
Zev Kaka-Holtz – Grinning Gecko Cheese Co.
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Brancott Estate Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Meyer Smoked Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Mainland Tasty Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
New World Champion People’s Choice Cheese Award
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Barrys Bay 3 Cheese Selection – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Mozzarella – Sandra Crone, By The Whey
Innovative Packaging Champion Butter Award
Unsalted Butter – NZMP Clandeboye
Epic Beer Champion Yoghurt Award
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Vanilla Bean Yoghurt – Clevedon Valley Buffalo
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award
Mozzarella Log – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award
Puhoi Valley Feta – Puhoi Valley Cheese
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Grinning Gecko Brie – Grinning Gecko Cheese Co.
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award
Meyer Goat Milk Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
NZ Chefs Association Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Just Ewe Winsam Farmhouse – Winsam Farm
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Puhoi Valley Cellar Range Washed Rind – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Havarti – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Gold Medal Winners
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Meyer Smoked Goat Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Fifty Fifty – Mercer Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Koputaputa – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Kapiti Ramara – Fonterra Brands NZ
Brancott Estate Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Meyer Smoked Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Truffle Cheese – Mercer Cheese
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Cheddar (aged less than 6 months) – Fonterra Stirling
Mainland Tasty Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Puhoi Valley Feta – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Ornelle Double Cream Brie – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Barrys Bay 3 Cheese Selection – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese
Corbally House Triple Cream Brie – Susan King
Mozzarella – Sandra Crone of By The Whey, Nelson
Halloumi – Sandra Crone of By The Whey, Nelson
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Puhoi Valley Washed Rind Cheese – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Kaipara Washed Rind Cheese – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Cellar Range Washed Rind Cheese – Puhoi Valley Cheese Fontal – Viavio
Innovative Packaging Champion Butter Award
No golds
Epic Beer Champion Yoghurt Award
Clevedon Valley Buffalo Vanilla Bean Yoghurt – Clevedon Valley Buffalo
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award
Mozzarella Log – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Matatoki Mozzarella – The Cheese Barn, Matatoki
Ricotta – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award
No golds
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Grinning Gecko Brie – Grinning Gecko Cheese Co.
Puhoi Valley Double Cream Camembert – Puhoi Valley Cheese
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award
Aroha Rich Plain – Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
Aroha Raw Milk Rich Plain – Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
Meyer Goat Milk Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
NZ Chefs Association Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Thorvald Curado - Thorvald
Just Ewe Winsam Farmhouse – Winsam Farm
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Cheshire – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barrys Bay Havarti – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Hohepa Vintage – Hohepa Homes
Cartwheel Creamery Epitomme – Cartwheel Creamery
Origin Earth Halloumi – Origin Earth
Traditional Halloumi – Waimata Cheese Co
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Leyden – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Mercer Cumin – Mercer Cheese
Meyer Fenugreek – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Barrys Bay Gouda – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Silver Medal Winners
Innovative Packaging Champion Butter Award
Unsalted Butter – NZMP Clandeboye
Epic Beer Champion Yoghurt Award
Clevedon Valley Natural Yoghurt – Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award Clevedon Valley Buffalo Bocconcini – Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company Clevedon Valley Buffalo Mozzarella – Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company Meadow Fresh Traditional Cottage Cheese – Goodman Fielder
Meadow Fresh Crème Fraiche – Goodman Fielder
Mozzarella – Il Casaro
Ricotta – Il Casaro
Cacioricotta – Il Casaro
Burrata – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Mozzarella Log – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Puhoi Valley Mascarpone – Puhoi Valley
Cheese Ricotta – Viavio
Ricotta – Zany Zeus
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award
Castlepoint Feta – Kingsmeade
Puhoi Valley Goat Feta – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Feta – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Classic Feta – Zany Zeus
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Pelorus Pearl – Cranky Goat
The Nag – Cranky Goat
Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Brie – Fonterra Brands NZ Double Delight – Over The Moon Dairy Co
Puhoi Valley Double Cream Brie – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Matatoki Camembert – The Cheese Barn, Matatoki
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award
Aroha Jubilee – Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
Fresh Lush – The Drunken Nanny
Black Tie – The Drunken Nanny
NZ Chefs Association Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Curio Bay Pecorino – Blue River Dairy
Meyer Sheepmilk Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Brancott Estate Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Aroha Raw Milk Pepperazzi – Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
Barrys Bay Smoked Cheddar – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barry Bay Cumin – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Kapiti Smoked Havarti – Fonterra Brands NZ
Meyer Smoked Goat Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Meyer Cracked Pepper – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Massimos Italian Cheeses – Smoked Treceia
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Canterbury Red – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Kapiti Pakari Aged Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Mainland Vintage Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Cheddar (mild aged less than 6 months) – Fonterra Edendale
Cheddar (mild aged less than 6 months) – Fonterra Clandeboye
Colby – Fonterra Stirling
Cheddar (mild aged less than 6 months) – Open Country Cheese Company
Cheddar (mild aged less than 6 months) – Open Country Cheese Company
Cheddar (aged up to 19 months) – Open Country Cheese Company
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Origin Earth Pink & White Terraces – Origin Earth
Savvy Washed Rind – The Drunken Nanny
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
No medals
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award
Halloumi – Cranky Goat
Provolone – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Leyden Vintage – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Cumin Gouda – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Mercer Gouda (aged over 9 months) – Mercer Cheese
Meyer Vintage Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Meyer Cumin Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Meyer Amsterdammer – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Matatoki Cumin Gouda – The Cheese Barn, Matatoki
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Robiolino – Kingsmeade
Cheddar Mature – Open Country Cheese Company
Puhoi Valley Block 275 Brie – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Biancolite – Viavio
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Mainland Noble Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Mainland Egmont – Fonterra Brands NZ
Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Camembert – Fonterra Brands NZ
Noble Cheddar – Fonterra Hautapu
Taupo – Fonterra Lichfield
Pumahana – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Totokau – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese Award
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Cheddar – Fonterra Lichfield
Edam – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar – Open Country Cheese Company
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Barrys Bay 4 Cheese Selections – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Yoghurt – By The Whey
Corbally House Brie – Susan King
Bronze Medal Winners
Eurofins NZ Champion European Style Cheese Award
Monowai Halloumi – Blue River Dairy
Grana – Emilio’s Cheese Hohepa Tasty – Hohepa Homes
Origin Earth Manuka Smoked Halloumi – Origin Earth
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Aged Gouda – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barrys Bay Edam – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barrys Bay Chilli Gouda – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Gouda Vintage – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Gouda – Karikaas Natural Dairy Products
Very Old Gouda – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Edam – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Gouda – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Meyer Tasty Gouda – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Meyer Cumin with Cloves – Meyer Gouda Cheese
Matatoki Garlic & Chives – The Cheese Barn, Matatoki
Ministry for Primary Industries Champion New Cheese Award
Linkwater Log – Cranky Goat Valle – Emilio’s Cheese
Just Ewe Halloumi – George’s Cheeses
Solway Stracchino – Kingsmeade
Black Sheep by Neil Willman – Over The Moon Dairy Company
Puhoi Valley Cellar Range Matured Goat Blue – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Dill - Lush – The Drunken Nanny
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese Award
Barrys Bay Cacao Nib Havarti – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barrys Bay Banks Peninsula Wakame Kelp Harvest – Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Tomme – Over The Moon Dairy Company
Burgundy Moon – Over The Moon Dairy Company
Wangapeka – Wangapeka Cheese
Brancott Estate Wines Champion Flavoured Cheese Award
Kapiti Port Wine Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Puhoi Valley Traditional Feta marinated with orange & lemon peel – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Smoked Mozzarella - Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Tetra Pak Champion Cheddar Cheese Award
Colby – Fonterra Hautapu
Cheddar (aged less than 12 months) – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar (aged up to 25 months) – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar (aged up to 25 months) – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar (aged between 26-36 months) – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar (aged less than 12 months) – Fonterra Stirling
Cheddar (aged up to 19 months) – Open Country Cheese Company
Just Ewe Winsam Cheddar – Winsam Farm
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese Award Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar – Fonterra Brands NZ
Egmont – Fonterra Lichfield
Cheddar – Open Country Cheese Company
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging Award
Edam & Rice Crackers 10 Pack - Dairyworks
Tasty & Rice Crackers 10 Pack - Dairyworks
Innovative Packaging Champion Butter Award
Salted Butter – NZMP
Westgold Salted Butter – Westland Milk Products
Westgold Unsalted Butter – Westland Milk Products
Epic Beer Champion Yoghurt Award
Natural Yoghurt – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Greek Yoghurt – Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Thorvald Sheep Milk Yoghurt – Thorvald
Green Valley Dairies Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award
Cream Cheese – NZMP
Mascarpone – Il Casaro
Burrata – Il Casaro
Fior di Latte – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Bocconcini – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Ciliegine – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Buffalo Mozzarella – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Scarmoza – Massimo’s Italian Cheeses
Puhoi Valley Crème Fraiche – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Fresh Goat Cheese – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Paneer – Zany Zeus
Cream Cheese – Zany Zeus
Kiwi Labels Champion Feta Cheese Award
Tussock Creek Feta – Blue River Dairy
Cartwheel Creamery Phoenix Feta – Cartwheel Creamery
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award
Kapiti Aorangi Traditional Brie – Fonterra Brands NZ
Puhoi Valley Traditional Brie – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Thorvald Camembert – Thorvald
Traditional Camembert – Waimata Cheese Co
180 degrees Champion Goat Cheese Award
Aroha Raw Milk Jubilee – Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
The Nanny – Cranky Goat
NZ Chefs Association Champion Sheep Cheese Award
Blackmount Cheddar – Blue River Dairy
Opaki Manchego – Kingsmeade
Origin Earth Pecorino – Origin Earth
Origin Earth Sleeping Giant – Origin Earth
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award
Kapiti Ramara – Fonterra Brands NZ Kinzlett Creek – Wangapeka Cheese
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award
Kapiti Kahurangi – Fonterra Brands NZ
Kapiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue – Fonterra Brands NZ
Mahoe Blue - Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese
Puhoi Valley Matakana Blue – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Pakiri Beach Blue – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Puhoi Valley Cellar Range Kawau Blue – Puhoi Valley Cheese
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese & Cheesemaker
Crème Fraiche – Bri DiMattina
Corbally House Blue – Susan King
Corbally House Halloumi – Susan King
Kaharoa Chilli Camembert – Susan Van der Maas
Kaharoa Double Cream Camembert – Susan Van der Maas