Each morning, as the sun rises over the Sonoma Valley in California, 2,500 gallons of fresh milk arrive at Vella Cheese. Over the course of the day, this top-grade milk will be delicately transformed by hand into some of the finest and best-tasting artisan cheese in the world. Each cheese will be individually rubbed with a mixture of soybean oil, pepper and cocoa to prevent cracking. The cheese will then be carefully aged before heading to market. More >>
Cheesemaker
Spotlight
Ig Vella, Vella Cheese
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Cheese Spotlight
Caso Bolo Mellage
Carr Valley Cheese Company, LaValle, WI
Caso Bolo Mellage is made from sheep, goat and cow milk. An American Original made in a 3 lb. ball, aged for two years and cut into wedges. Its creamy flavor and delicate white color is complex and pleasing. Voted “Best Cheese in America” by the American Cheese Society – the nation’s highest honor.
The Cheesemaker's Story
Over one hundred years old, Carr Valley Cheese is one of America’s finest specialty cheese plants. From traditional classics like expertly aged cheddar cheese to award-winning American Originals like Cocoa Cardona and Cave Aged Marisa, Carr Valley cheese makers turn milk delivered fresh from local dairy farms into more than 100 delicious cheese varieties. In the past three years alone, Carry Valley cheeses have won more than 60 top awards in U.S. and international competitions. Many of these have been won by Sid’s one-of-a-kind American Originals – artisan cheese you won’t find made anywhere else in the world.
Cheese maker: Sid Cook – Sid’s family passion for cheese making excellence runs deep as he is a fourth-generation owner. Sid is one of a small handful of certified Master Cheese Makers in the United States. It’s a distinction awarded only to veteran Wisconsin craftsmen who complete a rigorous 15-year advanced training and education program. Sid Cook has won more top national and international awards than any other cheese maker in North America. He crafts cheese the old fashioned way, by hand, with a goal of producing high-quality cheese with outstanding flavor.
Video segment part of "Living on the Wedge" from Trillium Productions. Permission granted. Please see 'www.livingonthewedge.com' for more information on Wisconsin cheese makers.
Serve in
Cheese courses, dessert cheese courses
Serve with
French bread slices, plain crackers, warm toast, red grapes, dried dates, pear slices, smoked almonds, grilled meats
Beverages
Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, Light Lager Beer, Sherry
Awards
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2011, World Cheese Awards, Gold
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2011, American Cheese Society, First Place
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2011, U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, Best of Class
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2010, Wisconsin State Fair, Blue Ribbon
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2010, World Championship Cheese Contest, Best of Class
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2009, American Cheese Society, Second Place