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Artisan cheesemaker Vega Sotuélamos outdid itself this year at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards, one of the most prestigious competitions in the dairy sector worldwide. In addition to winning the John Webb Trophy for the best cheese made with unpasteurised raw milk, Vega Sotuélamos took out a whopping 13 medals—four gold, five silver and four bronze.
The ICDA awards are judged by an international jury of industry experts, who evaluate every aspect from taste, texture and aroma to appearance and overall quality—and clearly, when it comes to Manchego and sheep’s cheese in general, Vega Sotuélamos is a shining star.
Not only do they produce an incredible and ever-growing range of cheeses, but it’s hard not to smile at their back story. This is a company that grew out of a love affair—with a local cheese factory.
Back in 1985, two friends discovered that their local cheesemaker in the tiny historic town of El Bonillo in the Sotuélamos district, deep in the Castile-La Mancha region of Spain, was struggling financially and about to go under.
Determined to preserve the cheese that they cherished, they took over the operation. After much initial trial and error, they managed to marry their passion for tradition and for doing things right with a very modern sensibility and a love of innovation. Today, Quesos Vega Sotuélamos is known globally—in over 75 countries, to be exact!—for its finely-crafted artisan Vega Mancha sheep’s milk cheeses.
As a company deeply embedded in the local community, sustainability and animal welfare are issues close to their hearts, and they put a lot of work into crafting “cheeses with a positive impact.”
If you’re looking to dip into this range, the Vega Mancha Aged Manchego Sheep Cheese—matured for up to 12 months—is a great place to start. For the more adventurous, try the earthy Cured Sheep Cheese with Black Truffle or even the Spicy “Infierno” Cured Sheep Cheese. The Cheese Boards are also an easy introduction to the wonderful world of Spanish cheese.
We look forward to Vega Sotuélamos continuing to sweep global awards in the years to come!
