MENDOCINO CO., 4/2/25 – A locally made cheese was named Best of Show at the California State Fair’s 2025 Commercial Cheese Competition on Monday, the fair announced.
Boonville’s Pennyroyal Farm won Best of Show other milk type for its Boont Corners Reserve. The creamery produces small batch cheeses using milk from goats and sheep raised at its farm in Anderson Valley.
Boont Corners Reserve is made from raw goat and sheep milk. According to the farm, the cheese is made in the summer when the goat milk is lower in fat. It’s aged for 8 to 12 months, resulting in a firm cheese with a sweet and nutty flavor that makes it perfect for grating.
It’s the third Best of Show award for Pennyroyal in the past decade, the fair said.
Head Cheesemaker Erika McKenzie-Chapter chalks the third award up to a collective effort by everyone – from people to animals – and production processes. “I take it as a sign that we have been able to maintain a consistently high-quality cheese over the years,” she said, “which is a reflection of and validation of not only of the recipe, but our staff, our animals, and our practices both on the dairy and in the creamery.”
Pennyroyal Farm also won three other awards in the other milk type category, including Boont Corners Reserve being named best hard cheese. The creamery’s Boont Corners 2 Month won best semi-hard cheese, and its Fratty Corners won best semi-soft cheese.
A panel of 12 judges, all specialists in the world of cheese, tasted their way through 113 entries, judging each cheese’s appearance, aroma, texture and taste.
Pennyroyal Farm will be recognized at an award ceremony at the fair on July 21, 2025.
The California State Fair takes place July 11 through July 27 at the Cal Expo in Sacramento. More information is available at https://calexpostatefair.com/.
Is it available on-line? I live in Washington, former resident of Cold Creek/Potter Valley.