NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2026 Wins

CELEBRATING OUR

2026 NZ Cheese Awards Wins

We're proud to announce that Whitestone Cheese has once again taken home top honours at the 2026 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards. Handcrafted in the heart of Oamaru, North Otago, our cheeses have been recognised by the country's top judges for their exceptional quality, character, and craft.

★ COMMERCIAL CHAMPION CHEESE 2026

MONTE CRISTO

We’re incredibly proud to share that at the 2026 NZ Cheese Awards, Whitestone Cheese has once again taken out the evening’s highest honour — marking back-to-back wins after Monte Cristo claimed this title last year.

Our Monte Cristo was awarded Champion Commercial Cheese, with judges praising it as “a delicate, smooth-bodied, clean example” that left them salivating — a true reflection of the care and craftsmanship behind every wheel.

Adding to this achievement, we were also honoured to take home the trophy for New Zealand Original Cheese — a celebration of both innovation and tradition in our cheesemaking.

Limited stock available - our latest batch is still maturing and will be ready to enjoy soon.

GOLD MEDAL SELECTION

VINTAGE FIVE FORKS

Gold Medal — Original New Zealand Cheese

A true Whitestone classic, Vintage Five Forks continues to shine on the national stage, taking Gold in the Original New Zealand Cheese category. Aged to develop its signature depth and complexity, it delivers a rich, savoury profile with beautifully balanced sharpness and crystalline texture that reflects time, care, and craftsmanship.

LINDIS PASS CAMEMBERT

Gold Medal — Soft Ripened Cheese

Awarded Gold in Soft Ripened Cheese, Lindis Pass Camembert is a delicate expression of creamy indulgence. With its soft, yielding centre and gently earthy rind, it offers a rich yet refined flavour that deepens as it ripens, showcasing the elegance of traditional soft cheese making.

WHITESTONE CHEESE 2026 AWARD RESULTS

We're proud to have won across multiple categories at the 2026 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards. Here is our full result:

Cheese	Category	Award
Monte Cristo	Commercial Champion	★ Champion of Cheese
Monte Cristo	Original NZ Cheese	Trophy
Vintage Five Forks	Original NZ Cheese	Gold
Monte Cristo	Original NZ Cheese	Gold
Lindis Pass Camembert	Soft Ripened Cheese	Gold
Lindis Pass Brie	Soft Ripened Cheese	Gold
Probiotic Camembert	Soft Ripened Cheese	Gold
Ferry Road Halloumi	Greek / Danish-Style	Silver
Aged Airedale	Original NZ Cheese	Silver
Farmhouse	Original NZ Cheese	Silver
Windsor Blue	Blue Cheese	Silver
Benmore Brie	Soft Ripened Cheese	Silver
Waitaki Camembert	Soft Ripened Cheese	Silver
Highland Blue	Blue Cheese	Bronze
Lake Pukaki Blue Brie	Blue Cheese	Bronze
Moeraki Bay Blue	Blue Cheese	Bronze
Creamy Havarti	NZ Made European	Bronze
Mt Domett DC Brie Maxi	Soft Ripened Cheese	Bronze
Mt Domett DC Brie 125g	Soft Ripened Cheese	Bronze
Probiotic Brie	Soft Ripened Cheese	Bronze