Cinnamon Ridge Dairy Repeats as People’s Choice Jersey Cheese Champion
Attendees at the 2026 American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) Annual Meetings spent the week sampling some of the nation’s finest Jersey cheeses before crowning their favorite in the Second Annual People’s Choice Jersey Cheese Contest.
Four Jersey cheese makers showcased 11 varieties of cheese at four social events held throughout the annual meetings. As attendees sampled each entry, they cast ballots to determine this year’s People’s Choice winner while celebrating the exceptional flavor, quality and versatility of cheese crafted from Jersey milk.
For the second consecutive year, Cinnamon Ridge Dairy of Donahue, Iowa, owned by John and Joan Maxwell and family, claimed top honors with its Smoked Fingers. Crafted especially for the contest using the dairy’s cheddar, the cheese features a mild flavor accented by a delicate touch of natural smoke.
Earning runner-up honors was Billings Farm of Woodstock, Vt., with its Smoked Cheddar. The historic dairy, operated by Billings Farm & Museum, impressed voters with a cheddar that is cold smoked over hickory and maple, producing a subtle smoke flavor that complements the cheese without overpowering it.
Also participating in this year’s contest were Four Fat Fowl of Valley Falls, N.Y., and Jersey Valley Cheese of Adell, Wis. Together, the four cheese makers provided attendees with an impressive selection of fresh and aged cheeses that highlighted the outstanding qualities of Jersey milk.
“One of the greatest advantages of Jersey milk is its exceptional cheesemaking qualities,” said Grady Auer, General Manager of National All-Jersey Inc. “Higher concentrations of protein and butterfat translate into premium cheeses with excellent yield, rich flavor and a creamy texture. The People’s Choice contest highlights the innovation of Jersey cheesemakers while demonstrating the value-added opportunities available to Jersey dairy producers.”
The People’s Choice Jersey Cheese Contest was established in 2025 to showcase the exceptional quality and versatility of cheeses crafted from Jersey milk while giving Annual Meeting attendees an opportunity to experience firsthand the products being made by Jersey dairies across the country.
Plans are already underway for the Third Annual People’s Choice Jersey Cheese Contest, which will be held during the 2027 AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings in Asheville, N.C., June 15-18, 2027. Jersey cheese makers from across the country are encouraged to participate and share their products with fellow Jersey enthusiasts during the annual celebration of the breed.
