Westmeath cheesemaker honoured at CÁIS 2026

Barbavilla Dairy has been honoured at the 2026 Irish Cheese Awards, hosted by CÁIS, the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, at Cloughjordan House in Tipperary.

The Collinstown-based cheesemaker took home two awards: the ‘Smoked Provola’, an Italian-style cheese smoked over whiskey barrel chips, was named Best In Class in the ‘Smoked Cheese’ category. The was also awarded a Bronze for its ‘Eweniqa’ cheese in the ‘Fresh/Soft Cheese’ category.

Barbavilla Dairy was founded and is run by Peter and Stacey Pavlov, and their daughter, Aleks.

The Pavlovs take pride in crafting products that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of their region.

They source the highest quality milk from sheep, cows and goats from trusted local farmers, and transform it into a range of artisanal dairy products that exemplify their dedication to quality, taste, and sustainability.

Their range of dairy delights include cheeses, butter and more.

Barbavilla Dairy’s award-winning cheeses are available to purchase from leading independent food stores and retailers throughout Ireland.

Chair of CÁIS, Dan Hegarty (of Hegarty’s Cheese), highlighted the calibre of judges involved in the biannual Irish Cheese Awards and said that has a positive effect on the long-term future, viability, and success of the Irish farmhouse cheese industry, which has continued to thrive over the 40 plus years of CÁIS’s existence.

The CÁIS 2026 Irish Cheese Awards were sponsored by Sysco, Bord Bia, Traditional Cheese Co, and Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies, and supported by Sheridans Cheesemongers, La Rousse Foods, Artisan Cheese Awards, Irish Cheese Direct and Irish Raw Milk Cheese Presidium.

The list of this year’s winners is available at the CÁIS website, irishcheese.ie.