Northland’s cheesemakers are producing high quality cheese as evidenced by their success  in the 2017 New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards.

Champion cheesemaker: Catherine Oakley (Winsam Farm, Kerikeri).

Champion soft white rind cheese: Grinning Gecko Brie (Grinning Gecko Cheese Co, Whangarei).

Champion sheep cheese: Just Ewe Winsam Farmhouse (Winsam Farm, Kerikeri).

Aspiring cheese maker: Zev Kaka-Holtz (Grinning Gecko Cheese Co, Whangarei).

Gold medals: Grinning Gecko Brie (Grinning Gecko Cheese Co, Whangarei); Just Ewe Winsam Farmhouse (Winsam Farm, Kerikeri).

Silver medal: Cumin Gouda (Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Oromahoe).

Bronze medals: Natural Yoghurt, Greek Yoghurt, Very Old Gouda, Edam, Gouda (all Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Oromahoe); Just Ewe Winsam Cheddar (Winsam Farm, Kerikeri); Just Ewe Halloumi (George’s Cheeses. Kerikeri).

You can read more about these successes in this post.

Northland’s cheesemakers

• George’s Cheeses, Kerikeri
• Grinning Gecko, Whangarei
• Just Ewe, Kerikeri
• Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese, Oromahoe

If you know of other Northland cheesemakers, please leave a comment.

Unpasteurised cheese and food regulations

Issues around the impact of food regulations on small producers is covered in this post.