Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Earns PGI Status

Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese has been awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status from the European Commission. The PGI designation means no other cheesemaker outside the designated area can produce a cheese and call it Yorkshire Wensleydale.

PGI status is designed to protect product names from misuse and imitation. It also helps consumers by educating them about specific characteristics of PGI-designated products.

Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is handcrafted by The Wensleydale Creamery, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The creamery sources milk from local family farms to help ensure the quality and authenticity of its Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. The cheese’s creamy, crumbly taste and texture are derived from unique starter cultures combined with the creamery’s cheesemaking expertise. 

David Hartley, managing director of The Wensleydale Creamery, said, “Our heritage and provenance make Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese taste truly unique, and we’re delighted this is now officially recognized with PGI status.”

Wensleydale cheese enjoys a historic pedigree, with production dating back to 1150 by Cistercian monks. In 1995, The Wensleydale Creamery was the first to launch Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries, which has now become one of its best-sellers. Wensleydale dairy products are exclusively distributed in the United States by ANCO Fine Cheese.