SACRAMENTO – Many California cheese companies are getting it right and for the third straight year, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. has won Best of Show Cow's Milk Cheese.

This time it was for their Aged Gouda, a classic Dutch-style Gouda aged for 24 months.

Also notable, newcomer Moonside Creamery won Best of Show Other Milk Type. Moonside, which started in 2016 and is located in Sebastopol, won with their California Original Smoke Ring, a mixed-milk type of a soft-mold ripened, aged lactic ring, uncooked, unpressed, and ash-coated with a touch of smoked sea salt.

A panel of 11 judges selected from respected cheese merchants, writers, promoters and educators tasted and evaluated 142 California cheeses at Cal Expo on May 9.

A total of 23 California cheese producers, including three new companies entered the 2018 California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition.

The cheeses are entered by division and class and are evaluated for appearance, aroma, texture and taste.

You can find a complete list of the award-winning cheeses at www.CAStateFair.org/california-commercial-cheese .

The California State Fair will recognize Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. and Moonside Creamery at a special press event on the steps of State Capitol on June 21.

Later that evening, the winning producers will be invited to sample their cheeses at the Best of California Tasting Reception at Cal Expo held prior to the California State Fair Gala, benefiting The Friends of the CA State Fair.

You can find more information about the Gala and The Best of California Tasting Event at www.CAStateFair.org/gala .

The Commercial Cheese Competition winners will also be presenting during the CA State Fair Taste of California Experience Classes, July 13 to 29.

Fair guests can learn how to taste, pair, and use the best California cheeses during these classes taught by experts. Registration for these classes will begin soon.