FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Point Reyes Station, CA (June 23, 2025) Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. has once again proven its place among California’s most celebrated cheesemakers with a standout showing at the 2025 California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition. The company’s remarkable performance included its Gouda earning the prestigious title of Best of California, while five additional cheeses—Quinta, Bay Blue, TomaRashi, TomaProvence, and Gouda—each received Double Gold awards. Original Blue and Truffle Brie were honored with Gold medals, and TomaTruffle and Toma earned Silver distinctions.
This year’s competition featured 113 entries from a diverse range of producers, from small-batch artisans to large-scale cheese operations. A distinguished panel of 12 judges, led by Head Judge Phillip Tong, evaluated each cheese based on appearance, aroma, texture, and taste.
"We are honored by this exceptional recognition from the California State Fair," said Kuba Hemmerling, VP of Operations. "These awards represent the dedication and craftsmanship of our entire team, from our skilled cheesemakers to the care we put into every wheel of cheese we pack and ship. Celebrating 25 years of cheesemaking with recognition across so many styles is a testament to our team’s passion, consistency and quality in artisan cheesemaking.”
This momentous year also marks the 25th anniversary of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., and of the very first batch of their now-iconic Original Blue—California’s iconic classic-style blue cheese. Crafted exclusively with milk from the company’s own Holstein herd on their sustainable farm in Point Reyes, Original Blue has become a signature of the brand and a symbol of the company’s commitment to quality, terroir, and tradition.
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. continues to champion place-based production, creating cheeses that reflect the unique character of Northern California’s coastal region.
About the California State Fair The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State's future.