The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW last night awarded the 2008 President's Medal to the Fairleys' Country Valley business, in front of hundreds of food and wine aficionados at The Ivy in Sydney.

Country Valley's Lush Traditional Handmade Yoghurt was awarded Champion Cultured Milk Product or Yoghurt at the 2008 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, which put Mr and Mrs Fairley in the running for selection as a President's Medal finalist.

They won out over a star-studded line up of finalists, which were: Evans & Tate, WA, for its 2005 The Reserve Shiraz; King Island Dairy, Tas, for its Bass Strait Blue Cheese; Pendleton Estate, SA, for its Pendleton Estate Blend Olive Oil; Sapphire Coast Smoked Fish, NSW, for its Hot Smoked Atlantic Salmon; and Shadowfax Wines, Vic, for its 2006 Shadowfax Chardonnay.

RAS president, Glenn Dudley, says the unique competition gives recognition and kudos to producers who work hard to balance commercial and environmental considerations.

"The President's Medal represents the best of the best in food, wine and dairy from all over Australia," Mr Dudley said.

"It is the most prestigious sustainable production award because of its reach across the country.

"Even more importantly, the President's Medal encourages producers to explore new, sustainable ways of producing excellent products, an essential quality for commercial survival in the current climate.

"For Country Valley to take home this award, they have beaten over 5000 fine food, wine and dairy products from across the country, including 61 champion products and of course the five other producers nominated for this year’s President’s Medal."

Mr Fairley was reluctant to reveal any secrets to the winning formula that helped to tip them over the line.

"Sorry, I can't tell you the secret but it is made in the time honoured tradition of making yoghurt," he said.

"We use only culture and milk, no additives whatsoever which gives it a clean feel in the mouth.

"Winning the President’s Medal gives us confidence knowing that we are producing the best product we can."

Country Valley was awarded a silver heritage RAS medal and $10,000 prize money.

The President’s Medal judges products against a series of environmental, economic and commercial measures.