NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2020
In February of this year, 25 expert cheese judges smelt, crumbled and tasted their way through almost 300 New Zealand cheeses in order at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2020.
The Awards were run by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA) for the 17th consecutive year with Australian Master Cheese Judge, Russell Smith, overseeing the judging.
Judges made special note of the quality and variety of cheese they assessed this year. In total 76 gold medals, 80 silver and 65 bronze medals were awarded.
The top cheeses in each category vie for a champion trophy and these winning cheeses represent the very best quality for that cheese style. In the 2020 Awards for the first time the judges were looking for three Supreme Champions from our Boutique, Medium- sized and Commercial Cheese Producers.
Supreme Awards
Countdown Champion of Champions Commercial Cheese; Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Awa Blue
New World Champion of Champions Cheese from a Medium-sized Producer; Meyer Cheese, Meyer Goat’s Milk Gouda
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Boutique Cheese; The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Black Tie
MilkTestNZ Champion Cheesemaker; Fonterra Co-operative Group, Sam Pokaitara
Category Trophies
Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese; Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Awa Blue
New Zealand Food Safety Champion New Cheese; Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Moonstone
ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese; Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Farmhouse Blue
DUPONT Danisco Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese; Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor Food Professionals Cream Cheese
Kiwi Labels Champion Greek/Cypriot Cheese; Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Feta
CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese; Thorvald, Thorvald Little River Brie
AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese; Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Edam
NZSCA Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese; Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Tuteremoana Te Tihi Aged Cheddar
NZSCA Champion Bulk Cheddar Cheese; Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Stirling NZMP Mild Cheddar
Cheeselinks Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese; ViaVio Cheese, ViaVio Burrata
Big Chill Distribution Champion Flavoured Cheese; Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Smoked Rinded Cheddar
Sabato Champion Farmhouse Cheese; The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Black Tie
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese; Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Galactic Gold
Delta Wines Champion European Style Cheese; Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Maasdam
Dish Champion Sheep Cheese; Thorvald, Thorvald Curado
Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese; Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield NZMP 3MC
Good George Brewing Champion Goat Cheese; Meyer Cheese, Meyer Goat’s Milk Gouda
Curds & Whey Champion Homecrafted Cheese and Cheesemaker; Makauri Gold, Tony Hamblyn
Special Awards
Ignite Colleges Chefs’ Choice; Mercer Cheese, Mercer Fifty Fifty
Innovative Packaging Champion Butter; Fonterra Co-operative Group, Mainland Semi-Soft Butter
NZSCA Champion Yoghurt; Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Natural Yoghurt
ECOLAB Blue Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Peninsula Blue
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Kāpiti Kikorangi
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Kahurangi
Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Farmhouse Blue
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Pakiri Beach Blue
CHR Hansen Soft White Rind Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Kahikatea Camembert
Thorvald, Thorvald Little River Brie
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Camembert
Dupont Danisco Fresh Unripened Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor Food Professionals Cream Cheese
AsureQuality Dutch Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Edam
Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Farmhouse Cumin Gouda
Mercer Cheese, Mercer Waikato Vintage
Delta Wines European Style Cheese
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Maasdam
NZSCA Bulk Cheddar Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Stirling NZMP Mild Cheddar
Thermaflo Washed Rind
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Galactic Gold
Good George Brewing Goat Cheese
Anabelle Fine Fresh Cheeses, Fromage Frais
Aroha Organic Goat Cheese, Aroha Organic Raw Milk Rich Plain
Aroha Organic Goat Cheese, Aroha Raw Milk Cumin
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Chèvre
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Manaia Ma
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Halloumi
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Goats Milk Gouda
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Halloumi
Renco New Zealand Export Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield NZMP 3MC
Innovative Packaging Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Kauri NZMP Salted Butter Spreadable
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Morrinsville NZMP Salted Butter Fonterra Co-operative Group, Mainland Reduced Salt Buttersoft
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Mainland Semi-Soft Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Edgecumbe NZMP Unsalted Pastry Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Te Rapa NZMP Unsalted Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Kauri NZMP Unsalted Butter Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Te Awamutu NZMP Unsalted Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Clandeboye NZMP Unsalted Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Clandeboye NZMP Unsalted Lactic Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Whareroa NZMP Unsalted Lactic Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Awa Blue
Mercer Cheese, Mercer Fifty Fifty
Mercer Cheese, New Zealand Bush
NZ Food Safety New Cheese
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Moonstone
Kiwi Labels Greek/Cypriot Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Feta
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Mainland Crumbly Feta
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Cracked Pepper Haloumi
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Oaxaca
Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Burrata
Massimo's Italian Cheeses , Ricotta
Massimo's Italian Cheeses , Smoked Scamorza
Viavio Cheese, ViaVio Mozzarella
Viavio Cheese, ViaVio Burrata
ViaVio Cheese, ViaVio Mascarpone
ViaVio Cheese, ViaVio Stracchino
NZSCA Retail Cheddar Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Tuteremoana Te Tihi Aged Cheddar
Sabato Farmhouse Cheese
The Drunken Nanny Ltd, Black Tie
Big Chill Distribution Flavoured Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Smoked Rinded Cheddar
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Chilli and Lime Marinated Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Garlic and Thyme Marinated Cheese
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Pepper
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Fenugreek
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Cracked Pepper
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Garlic & Chives
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Smoked Gouda
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Black Truffle Brie
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Chilli Haloumi
DISH Sheep Cheese
Anabelle Fine Fresh Cheeses, Fromage Frais
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Sheep Dairy Blue
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Sheep Dairy Feta
Gibbston Valley Cheese, Gibbston Valley New Balfour
Mercer Cheese, Mercer Pecorino
Over the Moon Dairy , Over the Moon The Black Sheep
Thorvald, Thorvald Curado
Thorvald, Thorvald Sheep Milk Camembert
ViaVio Cheese, ViaVio Pecorino
NZSCA Yoghurt
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Natural Yoghurt
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Vanilla Bean Yoghurt
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Passionfruit Yoghurt
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Lemon Zest Yoghurt
Curds & Whey Homecrafted Cheese and Cheesemaker
Tony Hamblyn, Makauri Gold
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Ramara
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Hautapu NZMP Egmont
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield Mainland Egmont
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Pumahana
ECOLAB Blue Cheese
Mount Eliza Cheese Ltd, Mount Eliza Blue Monkey
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Matakana Blue
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Distinction Blue
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Cherry Mozzarella
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Mozzarella
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Bocconcini
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Whareroa NZMP Premium Mozzarella
Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Mozarella
Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Bocconcino
Massimo's Italian Cheeses , Cherry Bocconcino
Massimo's Italian Cheeses , Ovalina
Massimo's Italian Cheeses , Mozzarella Log
Wairiri Buffalo, Wairiri Buffalo Burrata
Delta Wines European Style Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese - Maasdam
Thorvald, Thorvald Little River Aged Swiss
NZSCA Bulk Cheddar Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Hautapu Mainland Tasty
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Hautapu NZMP Organic Cheddar Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield Mainland Tasty
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield Mainland Vintage Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Stirling NZMP Colby
Big Chill Distribution Flavoured Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Peppered Havarti
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Wood Smoke
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Coldsmoked Manuka Havarti
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Truffled Porcini and Pepper Tartinade
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Smoked Havarti
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Chilli and Garlic Triple Cream Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Herb and Garlic Triple Cream Cheese
Hohepa Farms, Hohepa Herb and Garlic
DISH Sheep Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Pecorino
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Sheep Milk Blue
Innovative Packaging Butter
Bellefield Butter Co, Bellefield Cultured Butter Miso Flavoured
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor Salted Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor Food Professionals Unsalted Pastry Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Kauri NZMP Unsalted Pastry Butter Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Whareroa NZMP Unsalted Butter
CHR Hansen Soft White Rind Cheese
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Brie
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Double Delight
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Double Cream Brie
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Te Muri Triple Cream Brie
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Traditional Camembert
Kiwi Labels Greek/Cypriot Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Mainland Halloumi
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Feta
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Halloumi
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Feta in Brine
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Traditional Halloumi
Wairiri Buffalo, Wairiri Buffalo Feta
AsureQuality Dutch Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Aged Gouda
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Gouda
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Vintage Gouda
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products Ltd, Karikaas Leyden/Cumin
Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Farmhouse Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Tasty Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Cumin Gouda
NZSCA Retail Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Onawe
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Coldsmoked Appletree Cheddar
Sabato Farmhouse Cheese
Aroha Organic Goat Cheese, Aroha Raw Milk Pepperazzi
Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Montbeliarde
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Mild Gouda
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Full Moon
The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Dill Lush
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Sheep Milk Feta
Thermaflo Washed Rind
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Marore
Good George Brewing Goat Cheese
Aroha Organic Goat Cheese, Aroha Organic Raw Milk Fenugreek
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Herbed Chèvre
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Marinated Goat Cheese
Cranky Goat Ltd, Cranky Goat The Lynton
Cranky Goat Ltd, Cranky Goat Ltd The Reginald
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Feta
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Goat Camembert
The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Lemony Lush
Curds & Whey Homecrafted Cheese and Cheesemaker
Bri Di Mattina, Herbed Fromage Blanc Dianne Anderson, Cumin Gouda
NZSCA Yoghurt
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Belle Chèvre Creamery Greek Style Yoghurt Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Boysenberry Yoghurt
Goats Amore, Goats Amore Yoghurt
The Cheese Barn, The Cheese Barn Organic Greek Yoghurt
Thorvald, Thorvald Sheep Milk Yoghurt
NZ Food Safety New Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield NZMP Cheddarsan Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Yellowstone
CHR Hansen Soft White Rind Cheese
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Camembert Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Brie
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Camembert
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Wainui Creamy White
Dupont Danisco Fresh Unripened Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Darfield NZMP Cream Cheese
Delta Wines European Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Havarti
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Gruyere
Cartwheel Creamery, Smokey Stewart
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Woolleys Bay
Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Provolone
Mercer Cheese, Albert's Favourite
ViaVio Cheese, ViaVio Caciocavallo
NZSCA Bulk Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Mature Rinded Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Hautapu NZMP Noble Cheddar Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Lichfield NZMP Vintage Cheddar Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Stirling NZMP Vintage Cheddar
NZSCA Bulk Cheddar Cheese
Open Country Dairy, Mature Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Export Cheddar
Thermaflo Washed Rind
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Kau Piro
Thorvald, Thorvald Little River Wildfire
Viavio Cheese, ViaVio Fontal
Good George Brewing Goat Cheese
Cranky Goat Ltd, Cranky Goat Cullensville Gold
Over the Moon Dairy, Over the Moon Goat Blue
Renco New Zealand Export Cheese
Open Country Dairy, Tasty
Curds & Whey Homecrafted Cheese and Cheesemaker
Dianne Anderson, Washed Rind Glen Brogden, Camembert
Tony Hamblyn, Makauri Fenugreek Gouda
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Haurangi
ECOLAB Blue Cheese
Gibbston Valley Cheese, Gibbston Valley Kawarau Blue
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Kawau Blue
Waimata Cheese, Waimata Traditional Blue
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Stracchiatella
Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Buffalo Mozzarella
Wairiri Buffalo, Wairiri Buffalo Bocconcini
AsureQuality Dutch Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Aged Cumin Gouda
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Kāpiti Cumin Seed Gouda
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Kāpiti Gouda
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Hautapu NZMP Gouda
Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Farmhouse Very Old Edam
Mercer Cheese, Mercer Mature
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Vintage Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Meyer Cheese Amsterdammer
The Cheese Barn, The Cheese Barn Organic Gouda
The Cheese Barn, The Cheese Barn Organic Cumin Seed Gouda
The Cheese Barn, The Cheese Barn Organic Garlic & Chives Gouda
NZSCA Retail Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Wainui Special Vintage Cheddar
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Coldsmoked Pohutukawa Red
Fonterra Brands (NZ), Kāpiti Pakari Aged Cheddar
Fonterra Brands (NZ) , Kāpiti Pakari Smoked Cheddar
Mount Eliza Cheese Ltd, Raw Milk Cheddar
Sabato Farmhouse Cheese
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cloud
Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese, Nieuwenhuis Farmstead OMA
The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Cheeky Camembert
The Drunken Nanny Ltd, The Drunken Nanny Fresh Lush
Big Chill Distribution Flavoured Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Cumin Spice
Barrys Bay Cheese, Barrys Bay Live Chive
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Herb and Garlic Tartinade
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Clevedon Buffalo Smoked Paprika Tartinade
Gibbston Valley Cheese,Gibbston Valley Sheep Cumin
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Cumin & Garlic
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Caraway Seed
Grinning Gecko Cheese Company, Grinning Gecko Hot Chilli
Hohepa Farms, Hohepa Danbo Fenugreek
Innovative Packaging Butter
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Mainland Buttersoft Spreadable
Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Kauri NZMP Unsalted Lactic Butter