The Best Soft-Ripened Cheese of the Year: Pierce Point Takes the Crown

The Best Soft-Ripened Cheese of the Year: Pierce Point Takes the Crown

Pierce Point, a decadent triple cream from Northern California, has just claimed top honors at the World Championship Cheese Contest, taking first place in the Soft-Ripened, Flavored category. It’s not the first time this creamy wonder has made waves: California State Fair judges awarded it 1st place in 2023 and 2nd in 2025, while the American Cheese Society recognized it with 3rd place in 2025. With a score of 99.525, Pierce Point is clearly playing in a league of its own.

Named for a scenic ranch on the Pt Reyes National Seashore, Pierce Point is a bite of late spring along the Northern California coast. Each 7-ounce wheel is crafted with organic, locally sourced milk, resulting in a lush, triple-cream texture that’s as rich as the pastures it comes from. What sets it apart is the bloom of edible flowers and herbs covering the rind, a literal garden in miniature that amplifies the milk’s natural floral and herbaceous notes. Every slice captures the season’s essence, making it feel like spring year-round.

Flavor-wise, Pierce Point offers a sophisticated dance of floral, herbaceous, and mineral notes. It’s equally at home on a cheese board as it is paired with botanical spirits, cocktails, or smoked honeycomb. For cooking, its delicate flavors shine alongside spring vegetables like asparagus and artichokes, making it an effortless way to elevate seasonal dishes.

---