Sonoma, Calif. – Two cheeses made by Sonoma County’s Laura Chenel’s Chèvre captured top awards at the annual U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, held March 13 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Competing with 1702 cheese from 30 states, Laura Chenel’s Fresh Log scored 99.1 out of 100 points for second place in the Soft Goat Cheese Category. Mèlodie, an aged, ash-rinded cheese launched in late 2011, tipped the scales with 99.6 points for third place in the Surface Ripened Cheese category.
This U.S. Championship award tops a trifecta of 2012 awards for Mélodie. The cheese took first place at the ACS Judging & Competition (American Cheese Society, Raleigh NC), second place at CalExpo (Sacramento, CA) and third at the World Cheese Awards (UK). “This continues a sweep of 2012 competitions for Mélodie,” said Marie Giguere, General Manger. “We’re very proud of our skilled cheesemaking team in Sonoma and the dairy families in California who work hard to provide high quality fresh milk for all of our cheeses.”
Laura Chenel’s Chèvre Fresh Log remains popular since gaining fame in the late 1970’s as the cheese chosen by Alice Waters for the iconic Chez Panisse Fresh Chèvre and Mixed Lettuce Salad. Among other accolades, Fresh Log received Best of Division at the CalExpo 2012 competition.
Located in Sonoma, California, Laura Chenel’s Chèvre upholds a long tradition of European style artisan cheesemaking. The company uses only the fresh milk from family-raised goats in California and Nevada, an example of its commitment to local farming and craftsmanship of fine goat’s milk cheese which reflects the distinctive regional terroir.
Source: Laura Chenel’s Chèvre