From Pag's Karst to the Global Throne: The Complete Awards and Recognitions of Sirana Gligora

When we say that Sirana Gligora is the most awarded cheese dairy in Croatia and one of the most recognized producers of authentic artisan cheeses in the world, it is not mere marketing. Behind this claim stand decades of family sacrifice, an untamed passion for the heritage of the island of Pag, and an uninterrupted, officially documented series of gold medals from the world's most elite culinary competitions.

Our international rise began in 2002 at the Franciacorta in Bianco fair in Italy. When our signature Paški sir won first place in the sheep's milk cheese category, it was a historic turning point – the first time a Croatian cheese received such immense global recognition. Since that day, Gligora has been the undisputed synonym for cheesemaking perfection, with a tradition that continues seamlessly up to our latest triumphs in 2026.

Gligora Fun Facts

• Over 95 Great Taste Stars: At the world's most rigorous blind-tasting awards in the UK, our cheeses have accumulated over 95 gold and black stars of excellence to date.
• 17 Stars in a Single Year: A record-breaking 2026 brought us an incredible 17 stars at the Great Taste competition, including two 3-star champions (Paški sir and Velebjan).
• 6 Times "Super Gold" at World Cheese Awards: Our varieties (Paški sir, Žigljen, Dinarski, and Liburjan) have been named among the best cheeses in the world overall multiple times.
• A Quarter Century at the Top: More than 24 years of uninterrupted global awards have passed since our first international gold in 2002.

How the World's Leading Competitions Work

For an award to hold true value, judging must be completely unbiased. Our cheeses regularly participate in three of the world's most influential competitions:

• Great Taste Awards (United Kingdom): Often described as the "Gastro Oscars", this is the world's largest blind-tasting food competition. Over 500 judges (chefs, critics, buyers, sommeliers) evaluate purely based on taste without any knowledge of branding, packaging, or origin. Only 2% of the best products achieve the highest rating of 3 stars.
• World Cheese Awards (Global): The world's largest competition dedicated exclusively to cheese. Thousands of cheeses from five continents are judged by international teams of experts, awarding bronze, silver, gold medals, and the prestigious Super Gold status.
• World Championship Cheese Contest (USA): The oldest and most respected technical cheese evaluation contest in North America, where an expert jury scores texture, aroma, paste, and flavor according to strict technical criteria.

Complete Archive of International Awards & Recognitions

2024 – 2026: The Golden Era of New Recognitions

2020 – 2023: Confirmation of Continuity & Global Dominance

2015 – 2019: The Pursuit of Global Gold Honors

2002 – 2014: Historical Beginnings & First Super Golds

Every single star, ribbon, and gold medal celebrates the raw power of the Pag bura wind, wild aromatic herbs, and the passion and expertise of our entire cheesemaking team. When you choose Gligora, you choose a certified masterpiece recognized around the world.