Queso Payoyo is a producer of premium, handcrafted cheeses made in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, in the small Spanish village of Villaluenga del Rosario. The company was founded in 1997 and has since won numerous awards for the quality of its cheeses. Payoyo produces cheeses made from goat, sheep, and mixed milk, all of which are characterized by rich flavors and authentic production techniques. The Payoyo brand was registered in 1995 and has since become a recognizable name in the cheese market. Their product range includes various types of cheeses, including curado, fresco, and semicurado varieties, as well as creamy products and small roll cheeses. The production process follows sustainable practices, and visitors can enjoy guided tastings and tours of their farms to experience the cheese-making process and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Quesos Pajarete is a cheese producer based in Villamartin, Cadiz, Spain. They specialize in crafting traditional artisanal cheeses using local sheep, goat, and cow milk. Their product line includes a variety of cheeses from semi-cured to cured, infused with flavors such as rosemary or paprika. Quesos Pajarete has received multiple awards for their cheeses, which are recognized for their quality and distinctive regional flavors.
Awards
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
(2023, 2021)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
(2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
Quesos El Bosqueño SL is a cheese producer located in El Bosque, within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Spain. The company specializes in making artisan cheeses from payoya goat and merina grazalemeña sheep milk, indigenous to the region. They offer a variety of cheeses, including some aged with natural ingredients such as rosemary or Iberian lard.
La Pastora De Grazalema S.C.A. is a cheese producer located in Grazalema, Spain. They specialize in producing traditional Spanish cheeses using local sheep’s milk. One of their well-known products is the Payoyo cheese, which is made from a blend of goat and sheep milk. La Pastora De Grazalema S.C.A. focuses on artisanal production methods and adheres to traditional cheese-making techniques specific to the Grazalema region.
Alimentias is a Spanish cheese producer known for offering a variety of artisanal cheeses. The company focuses on traditional Spanish cheese varieties, including Manchego, Idiazabal, and Mahón. They emphasize high-quality ingredients and often collaborate with local farmers and dairies. They also export their products to various international markets.
Awards
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
(2023)
Queseria El Gazul S.L. is located in Alcalá de los Gazules, Spain. This cheese producer specializes in making organic cheeses using traditional methods. They utilize raw milk from local payoya goats and merina sheep to produce a variety of cheeses, including both fresh and aged types.
Quesos Andazul SL is a cheese producer based in the Andalusia region of Spain. They are known for producing blue cheeses made from a mixture of goat and cow milk. Their products have won multiple awards in international cheese competitions.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot,
nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable.
For the “Top 11 Local Cheeses in the Province of Cádiz” list until June 15, 2026, 46 ratings were recorded, of which 22 were recognized by the system as legitimate.
TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods,
instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.
The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews.
The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.
