The country’s oldest cheese company earns national recognition for its signature Petites and California Originals lines, celebrating 160 years of craft, quality, and innovation
Petaluma, California — Marin French Cheese Co., the country’s oldest cheese company proudly celebrating 160 years of cheesemaking, announces five new national honors at the 2025 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition (ACS). Held this year in Sacramento, California, the ACS Conference recognizes the best cheesemaking across North America.
This year’s competition saw over 1,500 entries across 136 categories, highlighting the continued excitement and growth of the American cheesemaking industry. Marin French Cheese Co. earned 3rd place awards for five of its handcrafted cheeses—including beloved staples from its line of 4oz Petites and standout selections from its California Originals collection—highlighting the brand’s ability to marry old-world technique with distinctly Californian creativity.
Petites
3rd Place: Petite Crème (4 oz., SRP $7.99) is a smaller format of the brand’s award winning
Triple Crème Brie. This small barrel-shaped wheel has a delicate bloomy rind and tastes of rich, sweet milk. Handcrafted by the dedicated team at the brand’s historic creamery in Marin County, the Petite Crème gets cream from local dairies added to the milk for an extra decadent texture and flavor. Judges noted, “flavors of cream, slight citrus, pleasant mushroom aroma,” and “good body and creamy texture.”
(Category: BT Soft-Ripened Cream Added (Double, Triple Creme Cheeses) – All Milks)
3rd Place: Petite Camembert (4 oz., SRP $7.99) is a unique small format of the classic French style Camembert cheese. Complex with earthy aromas of mushroom, a creamy paste is enrobed in a velvety bloomy rind. This soft cheese uses a different blend of cultures from the other brie style cheeses. Judges praised it for its “clean dairy notes with nice hints of mushroom and earth.” (Category: BB Soft Ripened – Made from Cow’s Milk 8 oz. and Under)
3rd Place: Petite Jalapeño (4 oz., SRP $7.99) is a small format Triple Crème Brie that balances old world techniques with innovative ingredients for the modern palate. A hearty dose of red and green jalapeño peppers are added to triple crème curd before being formed into small barrel-shaped wheels and aged. Under the classic bloomy white rind you’ll find a peppered paste that delivers a delightful kick. (Category: KB Soft-Ripened with Flavor Added – All Milks)
California Originals
3rd Place: Prospector Black Truffle Triple Crème Brie (8 oz., SRP $16.99) is an 8 ounce Triple Crème Brie that is generously studded with real black truffle for a rich, earthy, and indulgent experience. Inspired by the pioneering spirits who came West during the Gold Rush to test their luck, Prospector will have consumers feeling like they struck gold. This aromatic and earthy cheese is best enjoyed with bubbles, a martini, or drizzled with a floral honey. This award is the cheese’s first national recognition. (Category: KB Soft-Ripened with Flavor Added – All Milks)
3rd Place: Golden Gate® Washed-Rind Triple Crème Cheese (8 oz., SRP $16.99) has caught the attention of cheese aficionados since 2021, leading Marin French Cheese Co.’s next generation of California Original cheeses. Inspired by the vibrant color of its namesake San Francisco landmark, the gateway to Marin County, Golden Gate is a washed rind triple crème cheese that gets its unique color, flavor, and aroma from Brevibacterium linens cultures. In true artisan fashion, each wheel is hand-washed with brine multiple times throughout the aging process to lock in moisture and create the perfect environment for naturally-occurring coastal cultures to thrive. The distinctive flavor is earthy with vegetal aromas, rich, savory notes and a fudgy texture. (Category: TB Soft-Ripened Washed Rind)
“We’re thrilled to be included in this year’s group of ACS award winners. This event is so important to our community, and receiving these awards from such esteemed judges and with such competition is a true honor. These wins in particular are a celebration of our time-tested cheesemaking and our unique point of view,” says Bonnie Kaufman, Brand Manager of Marin French Cheese Co. “Our Petites build on classic recipes to deliver fun and flavor in a convenient and approachable format, and our California Originals are inspired by our deep connection to place and tradition. It’s wonderful to have both lines recognized on the national stage, especially during our 160th anniversary year!”
Marin French’s award-winning cheeses, including Petite Crème (4 oz.), Petite Camembert (4 oz.), Petite Jalapeño (4 oz.), Prospector Black Truffle Triple Crème Brie (8 oz.), Golden Gate® Washed-Rind Triple Crème (8 oz.), and more are available at select major and specialty grocers and cheese shops nationwide.
Visit the online store locator or NorthbayCreameries.com to find a retailer near you.
About Marin French Cheese Co.
Born in the West when it was still wild, Marin French Cheese Co. has been handcrafting cheese on their historic ranch in Northern California since 1865. Celebrating 160 years in 2025, Marin French is the country’s oldest cheese company, blending time-honored techniques with modern creativity and using highest-quality California milk. From feeding hungry gold rushers to gracing today’s finest tables, Marin French Cheese Co. produces award-winning, original cheeses that connect past and present with every bite. For more information, visit MarinFrenchCheese.com or follow on Instagram @marinfrenchcheese or Facebook @marinfrenchcheesecompany.
Dining and Cooking