Best European Sheep's Milk Cheese Producers
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
BEST Prolactine France Cheeses
Village Maid Cheese, based in Reading, England, was established by Anne Wigmore in 1986 after a decade of experience at the National Institute for Research in Dairying. The company is renowned for its artisanal cheeses, including the award-winning Wigmore, Waterloo, and Spenwood, which are all produced using traditional methods and milk from local farms committed to sustainability and animal welfare.
The cheese production at Village Maid emphasizes minimal changes to traditional methods over the years, focusing on handmade processes and environmental sustainability. For instance, they innovated by replacing disposable cheese cloths with a more sustainable alternative to reduce waste.
Grupo Ganaderos is a cheese producer based in Fuerteventura, one of Spain's Canary Islands. The company specializes in producing cheese from goat and sheep milk, utilizing traditional methods combined with modern technology. Their products include a variety of cheeses, such as the Majorero cheese, which is protected under a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status.
The company also focuses on sustainable farming practices.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
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World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2018
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2021
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Fromagerie Matocq Cheeses
Agrolaguna, based in Porec, Croatia, is a producer of cheese, wine, and olive oil. The company manages significant agricultural activities, including dairy farming, which contributes to its cheese production. Agrolaguna's cheeses are made from the milk of cows grazed in local pastures, reflecting the regional characteristics and flavors of Istria.
These products are sold under the Lagune brand, with a variety of cheese types catering to different tastes and preferences.
AWARDS
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Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
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International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Agrolaguna Cheeses
The company "Perla" was founded in Nichelino around the mid-20th century. For generations, it specialized in producing, ripening, and refining traditional Italian dairy products, with a focus on maintaining a family-like atmosphere. Perla’s products are rooted in the fertile pastures of Piedmont, where ideal conditions for raising sheep, goats, and cows contribute to high-quality milk.
The company emphasizes that its success lies in its meticulous cheese production process, which follows the highest standards of excellence and a slow, 100% natural maturation process. This dedication to tradition and quality ensures the authenticity of their cheeses.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Perla Cheeses
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2021
BEST Quesería Artesanal Las RRR Cheeses
Romagna Terre is an Italian cheese producer located in the Emilia-Romagna region. The company specializes in the production of traditional Italian cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano. It employs artisanal methods to ensure the high quality of its products.
Romagna Terre sources its milk from local farms, adhering to strict quality control standards.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Romagna Terre Cheeses
Quesería Artesanal Los Payuelos is a cheese producer located in Leon, Spain, specializing in artisanal cheeses that leverage local milk and traditional methods. They are known for producing cheese using milk from sheep breeds indigenous to the region.
Their products often feature in Spanish gourmet markets and are highlighted for their unique regional flavors.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
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World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
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Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Quesería Artesanal Los Payuelos Cheeses
Ojos Del Guadiana is a cheese producer located in Ciudad Real, Spain. The company specializes in producing Manchego cheese, a sheep's milk cheese native to the La Mancha region. Their products are crafted using traditional methods and are often aged to enhance flavor and texture.
Ojos Del Guadiana participates in various national and international cheese competitions, showcasing their dedication to quality cheese production.
AWARDS
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World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
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Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019, 2018
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Ojos Del Guadiana Cheeses
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 European Sheep's Milk Cheeses” list until February 19, 2025, 11,541 ratings were recorded, of which 6,410 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.