Simon Berry. Managing director Simon Berry believed it was the first time the same cheese had won back-to-back in the history of the awards. It was the third time Whitestone had won the award, having previously done so with its Windsor Blue cheese. Monte Cristo, named after the Berry family’s old farm at Maheno, also won the original cheese trophy. Increasing imports were in the market and that was a challenge for domestic producers across all primary manufacturing, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 24, 2026 15:37 UTC