Hartington Creamery is celebrating victory after sweeping the podium at the 2026 International Cheese & Dairy Awards. The Derbyshire, UK-based artisan creamery brought home several awards, including the Blue Stilton Champion. The gongs included: Gold & Blue Stilton Champion for Hartington Blue Stilton (also named Best Whole Blue Stilton), Gold for Hartington White Stilton, and a Silver for Hartington Red Derby. This year’s triumph marks a deeply emotional milestone for the creamery, ending a 24-year trophy drought at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards, the company says.

Hartington’s association with Stilton making spans more than a century. Since the creamery was revived, its mission has remained unwavering: to protect local cheese making traditions and craft cheese entirely by hand, utilising methods and recipes that date back over 100 years.

Hartington Creamery says it is the only cheese maker still making Hartington Stilton by hand. “To see our Blue Stilton, White Stilton, and Red Derby recognised on such a massive international stage means everything to our entire team,” said Robert Gosling, managing director of Hartington Creamery. “After 24 years without a trophy here, this is an incredibly special moment for our small Derbyshire creamery. It validates the hard work of our makers who refuse to cut corners, keeping the century-old art of traditional, handmade cheesemaking alive.”

The team at Hartington Creamery extended their deepest gratitude to the community that made this win possible. “We are incredibly proud, but we didn’t get here alone. Thank you to every customer, stockist, and supporter who has championed our creamery and helped keep traditional Hartington cheesemaking alive. This win belongs to all of us,” Gosling adds.

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is heavily supported by industry authorities, including the Stilton Cheese Makers Association.