Artisan Cheese Maker

Artisan cheesemaker, we salute you

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the artisan cheesemaker, master of flavor, artist of alchemy, maker of the world's most exquisite food. Who else can transform the humble pail of milk into the glorious goodness of finely-crafted artisan cheese? What would the world be without the skillful craftsmanship and high-quality product that our artisan cheesemakers create? It would be a lot less flavorful, that's for sure. Thank you, artisan cheesemaker, for saving us from that fate.

In Wisconsin, we never have to worry about a world without artisan cheese, because we have artisan cheesemakers by the hundreds in these parts. Incorporating the rich heritage of the artisan cheesemaker is why we're leading the nation in producing the stuff. So, if you're running short on your supply of artisan cheese, we're happy to share.

Our favorite cheese from Wisconsin artisan cheesemakers

It's tough to pick a favorite when there are so many amazing Wisconsin artisan cheeses to choose from, but here are a few of our favorites.

• Rush Creek Reserve, a washed-rind, raw cow's milk cheese with a rich, salty flavor and a soft and luxuriant texture that is a dream for crackers and bread.
• EWE CALF to be KIDding, a creamy, tangy, triple-milk cheese that has a complex, veiny blue flavor.
• Cupola, a semi-hard cheese with caramel notes and toasted pineapple flavor.
• BellaVitano, a cross between a young creamy cheddar and a premium farmstead parmesan.
• Extra sharp provolone, with a sharp, nutty flavor with subtle sweetness and a milky soft and appealing texture.
• Queso Oaxaca, a semi-soft Mexican-style cheese with a flavor like a young monterey jack but a stringy texture like mozzarella.
• Brick cheese, a Wisconsin original that is a tamer but still strong-smelling version of limburger.
• Juustaleipa, a "bread cheese" with a texture like toasted bread – a squeaky, buttery, slightly caramelized cheese with that softens rather than melting when heated.

Why choose cheese from a Wisconsin artisan cheesemaker?

When you're looking for cheese from an artisan cheesemaker, you want to look to Wisconsin. Not just because our cheesemakers make more artisan cheese than anywhere else, but because Wisconsin artisan cheesemakers make the best cheese. Our cheesemakers are constantly building new mantles to hold all the cheese awards they've won – 5,552 to be exact. And they're always looking for new ways to make cheese – it's why we make more flavors, varieties, and styles of cheese – 600+ and counting – than anywhere else on earth.

So, when you're ready to sample a slice of the finest work of the best artisan cheesemakers in the universe, make sure the cheese in your hand has a Proudly Wisconsin Cheese ™ badge on the label.