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Questions or comments can be sent to Barbara at
bll@artisanfoodandwine.com
About Artisan Food & Wine
This site is dedicated to promoting small business owners who are passionate about producing small batch foods and wines using artisinal practices and farmstead operations.
FEATURED ARTISAN
Legacy Chocolates
Legacy Chocolates opened business in Menominee, WI in 2002. Owners Mike and Cathy Roberts goal was to provide a clear choice of quality. They use butter and cream from local sources and import the Criollo cacoa bean from South America. The criollo bean represents only around 5% of the total world’s harvest and is sought after by many chocolatiers for its powerful flavor.
I visited their second store in St. Paul, MN at 2042 Marshall Avenue. The flavors change daily but the store easily had 15 different truffle choices. Each truffle is individually wrapped and labeled with its intensity of cocoa (99, 85, 68, or 41 percent). Classics like caramel and espresso are made in several different chocolate intensities while more unique flavors are usually coated with 99 or 85% chocolate. Chipotle is a fiery sensation in the mouth that’s toned down by the intensity of the chocolate shell. Another favorite of mine is the Gosser-infused made with German Gosser stout beer. Many of the truffles are infused with wines or beers. One of their newest concoctions is Paradise by the Dashboard Lights Blessed Cherry Porter. This brew is made by a local favorite- Rob Larson of Tyranena Brewing Company.
Legacy Chocolates was voted best chocolate in the twin cities two years in a row. Your next visit to the twin cities should include a stop here. You can also purchase chocolates on their website: www.legacychocolates.com .
ARTISINAL WINERIES
ALABAMA
Morgan Creek Vineyards Harpersville, AL
Perdido Vineyards Perdido, Al
White Oaks Vineyard Anniston, AL
Wills Creek Vineyards Attala, AL
ARIZONA
Callaghan Vineyards Elgin, AZ
Colibri Vineyard Portal, AZ
Echo Canyon Winery Sedona, AZ
Page Spring Cellars Cornville, AZ
Sonoita Vineyards Elgin, AZ
ARKANSAS
Cowie Wine Cellars Paris, AR
Mount Bethel Winery Altus, AR
Post Familie Vineyard Altus, AR
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Wiederkehr Village, AR
ALASKA
Alaskan Wilderness Wines Kodiak, AK
Kodiac Winery Chiniak, AK
CALIFORNIA
Mendocino County
Breggo Cellars Boonville, CA
Claudia Springs Winery Philo, CA
Esterlina Vineyards Yorkville, CA
Greenwood Ridge Vineyards Philo, CA
Maple Creek Winery Yorkville, CA
Meyer Family Cellars Yorkville, CA
Milano Family Winery Hopland, CA
Nelson Family Vineyards Ukiah, CA
Standish Winery Philo, CA
Sonoma County
Acorn Winery Healdsburg, CA
Adrian Fog Winery Healdsburg, CA
Albini Family Windsor, CA
Arbios Winery Santa Rosa, CA
Arista Winery Healdsburg, CA
Blue Rock Tiburon, CA
C. Donatiello Winery Healdsburg, CA
Field Stone Winery Healdsburg, CA
Garden Creek Vineyards Geyserville, CA
Harvest Moon Estate Santa Rosa, CA
& Winery
Hafner Vineyards Healdsburg, CA
Hart’s Desire Wines Santa Rosa, CA
Hawley Winery Healdsburg, CA
Inman Family Windsor, CA
Johnson’s Alexander Valley Healdsburg, CA
Wines
Kachina Vineyards Cloverdale, CA
Lynmar Winery Sebastopol, CA
Mojon’s Bench Healdsburg, CA
Moshin Vineyards, Inc Healdsburg, CA
Pellegrini Family Vineyards Santa Rosa, CA
Pendleton Estate Vineyards Cloverdale, CA
Quaking Hills Winery Cloverdale, CA
Robert Young Estate Winery Geyserville, CA
Sausal Winery Healdsburg, CA
Siduri Wines Santa Rosa, CA
Small Vines Wines Sebastopol, CA
Sunce Winery and Vineyard Santa Rosa, CA
TR Elliott Sebastopol, CA
Tremani Vineyards Santa Rosa, CA
Sierra Foothills
Amador Cellars Plymouth, CA
Black Sheep Winery Murphys, CA
Cedarville Vineyard Fairplay, CA
Karly Winery Plymouth, CA
Terre Rouge and Easton Fiddleton, CA
Twisted Oak Winery Murphys, CA
Wilderotter Vineyard Plymouth, CA
Windwalker Vineyard and Winery Somerset, CA
Santa Cruz
Ahlgren Winery Boulder Creek, CA
Cooper-Garrod Saratoga, CA
Savannah Chanelle Vineyards Saratoga, CA
Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo
Buttonwood Farm Winery Solvang, CA
Chumeia Vineyards Paso Robles, CA
Dark Star Cellars Paso Robles, CA
Midnight Cellars Paso Robles, CA
Pipestone Vineyards Paso Robles, CA
Poalillo Vineyards Paso Robles, CA
Windward Vineyards Paso Robles, CA
Santa Barbara
Melville Vineyards and Winery Lompac, CA
Mosby Winery and Vineyards Buellton, CA
COLORADO
Alfred Eames Cellars Pavonia, CO
Barton Creek Cellars Breckenridge, CO
Corley Vineyard Palisade, CO
Cottonwood Cellars Olathe, CO
Creekside Cellars Evergreen, CO
Garfield Estates Palisade, CO
Graystone Winery Clifton, CO
Guy Drew Vineyards Cortez, CO
Hermosa Vineyards Palisade, CO
Medovina Niwot, CO
Redstone Meadery Boulder, CO
Reeder Mesa Vineyards Whitewater, CO
Spero Winery Denver, CO
Spruce Mountain Meadery Larkspur, CO
Surface Creek Winery Eckert, CO
Terror Creek Winery Paonia, CO
Whitewater Hill Vineyards Grand Junction, CO
CONNECTICUT
Chamard Vineyards Clinton, CT
DiGrazia Vineyards Brookfield, CT
Gouveia Vineyards Wallingford, CT
Haight-Brown Vineyard Litchfield, CT
Heritage Trail Lisbon, CT
Hopkins Vineyard New Preston, CT
McLaughlin Vineyards Sandy Hook, CT
Stonington Vineyard Stonington, CT
Taylor Brook Winery Woodstock, CT
White Silo Winery Sherman, CT
DELAWARE
Nassau Valley Vineyard Lewes, DE
FLORIDA
Eden Vineyards Alva, FL
Keel and Curly Winery Plant City, FL
Pine Knoll Winery Homosassa, FL
Rosa Fiorelli Winery Bradenton, FL
GEORGIA
Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris, GA
Frogtown Cellars Dahlonega, GA
Meinhardt Vineyards Statesboro, GA
Still Pond Vineyard Arlington, GA
Three Sisters Vineyard Dahlonega, GA
Tiger Mountain Vineyards Tiger, GA
Wolf Mountain Vineyards Dahlonega, GA
HAWAII
Tedeschi Vineyards Ulupalakua, HI
IDAHO
Arena Valley Vineyards Wilder, ID
Carmela Vineyards Glenns Ferry, ID
Hell’s Canyon Winery Caldwell, ID
Parma Ridge Vineyards Parma, ID
Ste. Chapelle Winery Caldwell, ID
ILLINOIS
Collver Family Winery Barry, IL
Nauvoo Winery Nauvoo, IL
INDIANA
Anderson’s Orchard and Vineyard Valparaiso, IN
Best Vineyards Winery Elizabeth, IN
Buck Creek Winery Indianapolis, IN
Butler Winery and Vineyard Bloomington, IN
Chateau Pomije Guilford, IN
Madison Vineyards Estate Winery Madison, IN
Mallow Run Winery Bargersville, IN
Oliver Winery Bloomington, IN
Satek Winery Fremont, IN
Simmons Winery Columbus, IN
Turtle Run Winery Corydon, IN
Vine Tree Farm Winery Hardinsburg, IN
Windy Knoll Winery Vincennes, IN
IOWA
Breezy Hills Vineyard Minden, IA
Daly Creek Winery Anamosa, IA
Danish Countryside Exira, IA
Eagles Landing Winery Marquette, IA
Fireside Winery Marengo, IA
Grape Escape Vineyard Pleasantville, IA
And Winery
Heartland Harvest Vineyard Fort Madison, IA
And Winery
Jasper Winery Newton, IA
King’s Crossing Vineyard Glenwood, IA
Loess Hill Vineyard Crescent, IA
And Winery
Park Farm Winery Bankston, IA
And Vineyard
Penoach Winery Adel, IA
Prairie Moon Winery Ames, IA
Rosey Acres Winery Runnells, IA
Snus Winery Madrid, IA
Sugar Clay Thurman, IA
Tabor Home Vineyards Baldwin, IA
And Winery
Two Saints Winery St. Charles, IA
Wallace Winery West Branch, IA
White Oaks Vineyard Cambridge, IA
Winneshiek Wildberry Decorah, IA
Winery
MINNESOTA
Alexis Bailly Vineyard Hastings, MN
Falconer Vineyards Red Wing, MN
Northern Vineyards Winery Stillwater, MN
Saint Croix Vineyards Stillwater, MN
Winehaven Chisago City, MN
MISSOURI
Indian Creek Winery Monroe City, MO
NEW YORK
listings to come
OREGON
Eastern Oregon
Mt. Hood Winery Hood River, OR
Phelps Creek Vineyard Hood River, OR
Otis Kenyon Wine Milton Freewater, OR
Southern Oregon
12 Ranch Wines Bonanza, OR
Abacela Roseburg, OR
Agate Ridge Vineyard Eagle Point, OR
Ankeny Vineyard Winery Salem, OR
Applegate Red Winery Grants Pass, OR
Cricket Hill Winery Jacksonville, OR
Devitt Winery Jacksonville, OR
Madrone Mountain Jacksonville, OR
Rosella’s Vineyard Grants Pass, OR
And Winery
Spangler Vineyards Roseburg, OR
Wild Rose Vineyard Winston, OR
Willamette Valley
Abiqua Wind Vineyard Scott Mills, OR
Alloro Vineyard Sherwood, OR
Anam Cara Cellars Dundee, OR
Apolloni Vineyards Forest Grove, OR
Boedecker Cellars Carlton, OR
Brick House Wine Company Newburg, OR
Bishop Creek Farms Portland. OR
Bryce Vineyard Carlton, OR
Bryn Mar Vineyards Salem, OR
Chateau Lorane Lorane, OR
Cherry Hill Winery Rick Real, OR
Christopher Bridge Cellars Oregon City, OR
Coeur De Terre Vineyard McMinnville, OR
Coleman Vineyard McMinnville, OR
Cubanisimo Vineyard Salem, OR
Et Fille Wines Newburg, OR
Greenwood Vineyard Salem, OR
J.K. Carriere Wines Newburg, OR
Lachini Vineyards Newburg, OR
Lange Estate Winery Dundee, OR
And Vineyards
Laura Volkman Vineyards Newburg, OR
Lawton Winery Newburg, OR
Natalie’s Estate Winery Newburg, OR
Paridis Family Vineyard Silverton, OR
Ribbon Ridge Vineyard Carlton, OR
Saginaw Vineyard Cottage Grove, OR
The Cost Vineyard Salem, OR
Whistling Dog Cellars Salem, OR
Witness Tree Vineyard Salem, OR
Walla Walla Valley
Otis Kenyon Wine Milton Freewater, OR
Zerba Cellars Milton Freewater, OR
WISCONSIN
AppleTreow Winery Burlington, WI
Autumn Harvest Winery Chippewa Falls, WI
Bayfield Winery Bayfield, WI
Brigadoon Winery Tripoli, WI
Burr Oak Winery New Lisbon, WI
Cedar Creek Winery Cedarburg, WI
Chateau St. Croix St. Croix Falls, WI
Door Peninsula Winery Sturgeon Bay, WI
Kerrigan Brothers Winery Appleton, WI
Mason Creek Winery Delafield, WI
New Glarus Winery New Glarus, WI
Orchard Country Winery Fish Creek, WI
Simon Creek Winery Sturgeon Bay, WI
Stone’s Throw Winery Egg Harbor, WI
Tenba Ridge Winery Blair, WI
Three Lakes Winery Three Lakes, WI
Vetro Winery Concord, WI
Von Stiehl Winery Algoma, WI
Weggy Winery Muscoda, WI
Wollersheim Winery Prairie du Sac, WI
Woodland Trail Winery Lakewood, WI
WASHINGTON
ColumbiaValley
Benson Vineyards Estate Manson, WA
Bookwalter Winery Richland, WA
Cave B Estate Winery Quincy, WA
Goose Ridge Estate Winery Richland, WA
Naches Heights Vineyard Yakima, WA
Nefarious Cellars Chelan, WA
Preston Wines Pasco, WA
Rusty Grape Vineyards Battle Ground, WA
Tsillam Cellars Chelan, WA
Wedge Mountain Winery Peshastin, WA
Yellow Hawk Cellar, WA Walla Walla, WA
Horse Heaven Hills
Robert Karl Cellars Spokane, WA
Puget Sound
Carpenter Creek Winery Mount Vernon, WA
Challenger Ridge Vineyards Concrete, WA
FairWinds Winery Port Townsend, WA
Eagle Haven Winery Sedro Woolley, WA
Hollywood Hills Vineyard Woodinville, WA
Lopez Island Vineyards Lopez Island, WA
McCormick Family Vineyard Lyle, WA
Perennial Vintners Bainbridge Island, WA
Selah Heights Winery Selah, WA
Trillium Creek Winery Lakebay, WA
Whidbey Island Vineyard Langely, WA
Rattlesnake Hills
Agate Field Vineyard Zillah, WA
Bonair Winery Zillah, WA
Paradisos del Sol Zillah, WA
Severino Cellars Zillah, WA
Red Mountain
Hightower Cellars Benton City, WA
Walla Walla Valley
Abeja Walla Walla, WA
Adamant Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Amaurice Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Amavi Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Ash Hollow Walla Walla, WA
Bradenview Vineyards Walla Walla, WA
Garrison Creek Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Nicholas Cole Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Saviah Cellars Walla Walla, WA
Va Piano Vineyards Walla Walla, WA
Woodward Canyon Winery Walla Walla, WA
Wahluke Slope
Fielding Hills Winery East Wenatchee, WA
Gilbert Cellars Yakima, WA
Yakima Valley
Adams Bench Woodinville, WA
Anton Ville Winery Woodinville, WA
Arlington Road Cellars Woodinville, WA
Baer Winery Woodinville, WA
Chandler Reach Vineyards Benton City, WA
Eaton Hill Winery Granger, WA
Oakwood Cellars Benton City, WA
Two Mountain Winery Zillah, WA
Others
Alia Vines Snohomish, WA
Andrake Cellars Olympia, WA
Bainbridge Island Vineyards Bainbridge Island, WA
Bethany Vineyard Ridgefield, WA
China Bend Vineyards Kettle Falls, WA
Coyote Canyon Winery Prosser, WA
Desert Hills Yakima, WA
Donitelia Winery Yakima, WA
Glacier Peak Winery Rockport, WA
Greenbank Cellars Greenbank, WA
Horizon’s Edge Winery Wenatchee, WA
La Toscana Winery Cashmere, WA
Rockwell Cellars Omak, WA
Sheridan Vineyard Zillah, WA
Three Brothers Vineyard Ridgefield, WA
Waving Tree Vineyards Goldendale, WA
Windy Point Vineyards Wapato, WA
WINE REGIONS
We have been producing wines for over 5,000 years. Most experts agree there are also over 5,000 different varieties of grapes, with numerous names, depending on where they are grown. Of those 5,000 varieties there are only about 150 that are produced in quantities for commercial sale. It would be very difficult to list all wine producing regions so this lists contains the top wine producers in the world and the dominant grapes that are grown within those regions.
ITALY
There is no region or district that does not produce wine in this country. Wine is considered a part of daily life and is produced and drank in huge quantities.
Tuscany
Red: Sangiovese
Piedmont
Reds: Barbera, Nebbiolo
Tre Venezie
Whites: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
FRANCE
This is one of the most famous wine countries in the world and has been producing quality wines for centuries. It is thought to be the homeland of most of the world’s great grape varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
Bordeaux
Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Burgundy
White: Chardonnay
Red: Pinot Noir
Loire Valley
Whites: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Reds: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir
Champagne
White: Chardonnay
Reds: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
Rhone Valley
Whites: Marsanne, Roussanne, and Voignier
Reds: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Provence
Reds: Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre
Alsace
Whites: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris
SPAIN
Rioja
White: Viura
Red: Tempranillo
UNITED STATES
Every state in the United States produces wine but approximately 90% of the total wine production is in California. This is changing as states like Oregon, Washington, and New York have been increasing production and making outstanding wines in recent years.
California
White: Chardonnay
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon
GERMANY
White: Riesling
SOUTH AFRICA
White: Chenin Blanc
Reds: Pinotage, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
AUSTRALIA
White: Chardonnay
Red: Shiraz
CHILE
Chile’s wine regions benefit from abundant sunshine and moderating influences of the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean.
Maipo
Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Argentina
Mendoza
Whites: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Reds: Malbec, Bonarda
WINE BASICS ~ Tips For Storage
You need not spend thousands of dollars on a wine cellar unless you’re looking for a custom look. Wines need an environment that is cool and free from sunlight. They also need to be placed on their side.
Two keys to storing wines in a proper environment are temperature and humidity. Temperature is by far the most important of the two factors. The ‘traditional’ temperature for wine is 55 degrees. Wine should normally be stored between 50-60 degrees F. A colder temperature causes the aging process to slow down, preventing the wine from aging properly. A higher warmer temperature causes it to age to quickly. The humidity range should be between 60-70%. The primary reason to watch the humidity level is because high humidity hurts the wine label, resulting in lower resale value. Secondly, when wine is stored upright the cork begins to dry out and shrink. In time, air may slip between the cork and neck resulting in a wine needing to be poured out. Keeping wine on its side keeps the cork moist.
As a general guideline, whites do not age for long, they are to be enjoyed relatively young, while reds can age 5 -30 years.
WINE BASICS ~ Terms
ACIDITY: The tartness or zesty sensation of a wine. In a good wine acidity brightens the flavor of the wine.
APPELLATION: Wine growing region with recognized boundaries.
AROMA: The smell of a wine, usually a younger wine.
BALANCE: The harmony between acidity, tannin, alcohol and sweetness in a wine.
BODY: This is a tasting term for how heavy or thick a wine feels in your mouth. A full bodied wine is sometimes referred to as “big’.
BOUQUET: The complex aroma of a mature aged wine.
CORKED: A wine ruined by a contaminated cork usually characterized by a musty smell.
CRISP: A well balanced light bodied wine that is high in acidity.
DRY: Wines with zero or low levels of sugar.
ENOLOGY: The study of winemaking; also spelled oenology.
ENOPHILE: A wine lover, usually a connoisseur, also spelled oenophile.
FINISH: The lingering aftertaste of a wine after it’s been swallowed. A long finish indicates a quality wine.
ICEWINE: A powerful dessert wine produced from grapes picked frozen and
crushed before they thaw.
LEGS: The droplets that slide down the side of a glass when the wine is swirled
OAKY: A descriptive term for the flavors of the oak barrels in which a wine is aged.
OENOLOGY: See enology
OENOPHILE: See enophile
SOMMELIER: A restaurant’s wine expert.
TANNIN: A naturally occurring compound in grape skins, seeds, and stems. Tannin gives wine its structure and enable wines to age well.
TERROIR: A French term for all the elements of a vineyard’s site. These include climate, geography, soil composition, water drainage, elevation, and surrounding vegetation.
VARIETAL: A wine that is named for the variety of grape used.
Examples: Chardonnay and Merlot
VARIETY: The type of grape used in a wine.
VITICULTURE: The study of grape growing.
WINE BASICS ~ Tasting
The most important part of wine tasting is to become more aware of the wine in your glass. First, take a look at the color. This will give you an indication as to whether it might be a light or full bodied red or white. Our noses can differentiate between hundreds of aromas so the first smell will be indicative of the taste. Finally our taste buds can detect many flavors and many people will have a different taste experience with the same wine. There are two different ways of arranging a tasting. A horizontal tasting allows you to sample a range of wines that are alike in all but one way. A group of wines from the same region would be an example. In a vertical tasting you sample the same wine from the same producer made in different years. Neither is better than the other but each allows a person to become more knowledgeable about wines in general.
Just remember, wine tasting need not be stuffy. Get some friends together and follow these guidelines to ensure a fun, knowledgeable experience.
- Find a clear stemmed glass that is easy to hold
- Pour only 1-2 ounces of wine in the glass. This will allow room to swirl without spilling.
- Check the color. A light color usually indicates a younger, lighter bodied wine; a deep color, a mature full bodied wine.
- Swirl the wine and sniff. Swirling allows the release of aromas and sniffing gives you a chance to articulate what you are experiencing.
- Sip the wine. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth before you swallow it. This will give you a deeper impression of the flavor of the wine.
- Swallow or spit. If you taste just a couple of wines you can swallow and then nibble on a cracker to cleanse your palate between tastings. If you are sampling a wide range of wines it is important to spit because it allows your palate to discern the differences in multiple wines.
WINE BASICS
What are the most common types of grapes?
Almost 10,000 varietals of grapes exist yet there are only a few that are grown in abundance.
White Grapes
Pinot Gris/Grigio-Usually light bodied with fruity taste. It is known as Pinot Grigio in Italy and Pinot Gris in most other parts of the world.
Reisling-Light to medium bodied with high acidity and mineral flavors. Styles range from super sweet to bone dry.
Sauvignon Blanc-Light to medium bodied with bright acidity. Can have lemon, citrus, and herb flavors.
Chardonnay-This is one of the most popular grapes grown today. It is medium to full bodied and can be toasty and buttery in taste if aged in French and/or American oak barrels.
Purple Grapes
Pinot Noir-Produces a medium to full bodied wine. It is often called the heartbreak grape because it is very difficult to grow.
Cabernet Sauvignon-Full bodied with black currant and cedar flavors.
Merlot-This is one of the most popular red grapes. It produces full bodied wines with plum and/or chocolate flavors.
Syrah/Shiraz-Full bodied with powerful berry and/or pepper flavors. It is known as Syrah in the Old World Rhone Valley and Shiraz in the New World locations of California, Washington, and Australia.
How does a beginner learn about wine?
If you’re a novice wine drinker start by ordering random wines at a restaurant to develop your palate. It will become apparent which wines you prefer and then easier to narrow down the grape varietals you enjoy.
Another avenue to becoming familiarized with wines is to visit a winery. The people who work there are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you have, from the winemaking process to the difference in the wines they produce. It is important to keep your mind open to different wines as that will develop your palate even more.
How do you plan a wine party?
The first question people tend to ask is how much wine do I need? Typically a serving of wine is 5 oz. whether it’s mixed, as in Sangria, or alone. Usually you figure a person can drink a serving per half hour so you multiply the number of people by the length of the party, in half hour increments, and you have the amount you need to have on hand. Simple!
Another question asked is how to pair the wines. There are many resources to guide you in this quest but for simplicity go light to heavy. Traditionally, start out with a light white, like pinto gris and work your way to a heavy white, like chardonnay. These pair well with cheese and appetizers. As you work your way to reds, the meal should be progressing to the main course. A medium bodied red like a pinto noir would complement many main courses while savoring a deep red, like syrah, for dessert.
The most important aspect of a wine party is to plan ahead of time-to match wines with foods- and then to enjoy the evening.
At what temperature should you serve wine?
63-65 degrees is considered room temperature and is appropriate for medium to full bodied red wines
57 degrees is considered “cellar temperature”. This is suitable for full bodied white wines and light bodied reds.
50-52 degrees is considered chilled and is appropriate for light to medium bodied white wines. If you are chilling a wine in the refrigerator let the wine set out 10-20 minutes to come to the right temperature
Remember, these are only guidelines.
What are the ideal conditions to store your wine collection?
Cool, dark, and free from major vibrations-you have yourself a wine cellar.
The two keys to storing wines properly are temperature and humidity. Temperature is by far the most important of the two factors. The ‘traditional’ temperature for wine is 55 degrees. Wine should normally be stored between 50-60 degrees F. A colder temperature causes the aging process to slow down, preventing the wine from aging properly. A higher warmer temperature causes it to age to quickly. The humidity range should be between 60-70%. The primary reason to watch the humidity level is because high humidity hurts the wine label, resulting in lower resale value.
As a general guideline, whites do not age for long, they are to be enjoyed relatively young, while reds can age 5 -30 years.
What are the reasons to decant a wine before serving?
In older wines it separates the sediment that accumulates at the bottom of the bottle and helps them to wake up. For any wine it exposes it to air and gives it a chance to breathe. This usually results in a fuller bodied wine experience.
What is an American Viticultural Area?
Instead of Appellations, the United States uses the term American Viticulatural Area or AVA for short. Designated official wine growing regions are called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). AVAs are official grape growing regions that have been designated by the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. They are geographic locations the have the same climate, soil, and elevation that give a wine certain characteristics. When an AVA is designated on a wine bottle, 85% of that wine must come from that AVA.
There can be sub-AVAs which means there can be several AVA’s designated within a larger AVA area. Example: Sonoma County is an AVA, but there are smaller areas located within the Sonoma County that have an AVA. The Russian River Valley AVA is a small geographic area located within the Sonoma AVA.
What is a reserve wine?
A winery will use the term Reserve for the bottling of a special wine. Typically these wines are of higher quality and/or of limited production. On the other hand, the term Reserve can be used as a marketing strategy and may not be special in any way. It is best to visit the winery and ask questions on the production and quality of the wine.
U.S. MICROBREWERIES
By common definition a microbrewery produces up to 15,000 barrels per year. A microbrewery will contain all the tools for crafting beer along with the bottling and distribution of the beer. A brew pub is different in that it only sells its beers on premises. The listings reflect this distinction. If you or someone you know is not listed below please contact bllewey@artisanfoodandwine.com
ALABAMA
Good People Brewing Co. Birmingham
ALASKA
Haines Brewing Co. Haines
Homer Brewing Homer
Kassik’s Kenai Brew Stop Kenai
Kenai River Brewing Co. Soldotna
Kodiac Island Brewing Co. Kodiak
Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Anchorage
Moose’s Tooth Brewing Co. Anchorage
Silver Gulch Brewing Co. Fairbanks
St. Elias Brewing Co. Soldotna
ARIZONA
Barrio Brewing Co. Tucson
Four Peaks Brewing Co. Tempe
Grand Canyon Brewery Williams
Mogolion Brewing Co. Flagstaff
Nimbus Brewing Tucson
Oak Creek Brewing Company Sedona
Pinnacle Peak Microbrewery Scottsdale
ARKANSAS
Diamond Bear Brewing Little Rock
CALIFORNIA
AleSmith Brewing Co. San Diego
Angel City Brewing Torrance
Ballast Point Brewing Co. San Diego
Bayhawk Ales, Inc. Irvine
Bear Republic Brewing Co. Healdsburg
Beermann’s Beerwerks Meadow Vista
Bison Brewing Co. Berkeley
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery Oxnard, Roseville, West Covina
Black Diamond Brewing Co. Concord
Black Market Brewing Co. Ternecula
Bootleggers Brewery Fullerton
Bradley’s Brewing Co. Orangevale
Bruery Placentia
Butte Creek Brewing Chico
Central Coast Brewing Co. San Luis Obispo
Craftsman Brewing Pasadena
Dale Bros. Brewery Upland
Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co. Belmont
Drake’s Brewing Co. San Leandro
E.J. Phair Brewing Co. Concord
El Toro Brewing Morgan Hill
English Ales Brewing Marina
Etna Brewing co. Etna
Feather River Brewing Co. Magalia
Firehouse Brewing Co. San Diego
Gold Hill Brewery Placerville
Green Flash Brewing Vista
Hanger 24 Craft Brewery Redlands
Happy Valley Brewing Somerset
Healdsburg Beer Co. Healdsburg
Indian Wells Brewing Co. Inyokern
Island Brewing Co. Carpinteria
Jack Russell Brewing Camino
Karl Stauss Brewing Co. San Diego
Left Coast Brewing San Clemente
Lengthwise Brewing Bakersfield
Lightning Brewery Poway
Mad River Brewing co. Blue Lake
Mammoth Brewing Mammoth Lakes
Moonlight Brewing Co. Fulton
Mount Shasta Brewing Co. Weed
Mount Tallac Brewing Co. South Lake Tahoe
Napa Smith Brewing and Winery Napa
Nibble Bit Tabby Los Angeles
North Star Craft Brewery Shasta Lake
Oceanside AleWorks Oceanside
Old River Brewing Co. Bakersfield
Port Brewing Co./The Lost Abbey San Marcos
Rascal Creek and Yosemite Breweries Merced
Russian River Brewing Co. Santa Rosa
Saddleback Brewery Inc. Rancho Santa Margarita
Santa Cruz Aleworks Santa Cruz
Santa Maria Brewing Nipomo
Skyscraper Brewing Co. El Monte
Speakeasy Ales and Lagers San Francisco
St. Stan’s Brewing Co. Modesto
Sudwerk Privatbrauerei Hubsch Davis
Telegraph Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
Uncommon Brewers Santa Cruz
COLORADO
Arctic Craft Brewery Colorado Springs
Aspen Brewing Co. Aspen
Avery Brewing Boulder
Blue Moon Brewing Co. Denver
Bristol Brewing Company Colorado Springs
Crabtree Brewing Co. Greeley
Del Norte Brewing Co. Denver
Dry Dock Brewing Co. Aurora
Durango Brewing Durango
Estes Park Brewery Estes Park
Fort Collins Brewery Fort Collins
Golden City Brewery Golden
Left Hand Brewing Longmont
Oskar Blues Brewery Longmont
Ourayle House Ourayle
Pagosa Brewing Co. Pagosa Springs
Palisade Brewery Palisade
Purgatory Brewery LLC Las Animas
Redstone Meadery Boulder
Revolution Brewing Co. Paonia
SKA Brewing Durango
Three Barrel Brewing Co. Del Norte
TommyKnocker Brewery & Pub Idaho Springs
Twisted Pine Brewing Boulder
Upslope Brewin Co. Boulder
CONNECTICUT
Carlson Craft Brewery LLC Branford
Cottrell Brewing Pawcatuck
New England Brewing Co. Woodbridge
Olde Burnside Brewing East Hartford
Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. Bloomfield
DELAWARE
Fordham Brewing Co. Dover
Twin Lakes Brewing Company Greenville
FLORIDA
Bold City Brewery Jacksonville
Cigar City Brewing Co. Tampa
Dunedin Brewery Dunedin
Florida Beer Co. Melbourne
Orlando Brewing Orlando
Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. Tarpon Springs
GEORGIA
Atlanta Brewing Atlanta
Terrapin Beer Co. Athens
HAWAII
Keoki Brewing Co. Lihue, Kauai
Maui Brewing Co. Lahaina, Maui
Mehana Brewing Co. Hilo
IDAHO
Brownstone Brewhouse Idaho Falls
Grand Teton Brewing Co. Victor
Laughing Dog Brewing Sandpoint
River Bend Brewing Ketchum
Sockeye Brewing Co. Boise
ILLINOIS
Revolution Brewing Chicago
Two Brothers Brewing Warrenville
INDIANA
Back Road Brewery LaPorte
Brugge Brasserie Terre Haute
Great Crescent Brewery Aurora
Mishawaka Brewing Co. Elkhart
Terre Haute Brewing Terre Haute
Three Floyds Brewing Munster
Upland Brewing Co. Bloomington
Warbird Brewing Co. Fort Wayne
IOWA
Granite City Food & Wort House Ellsworth
Hub City Brewing Stanley
Millstream Brewing Amana
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Decorah
Worth Brewing Co. Northwood
KANSAS
Eme Squared Brewing and Bottling Olathe
Tallgrass Brewing Co. Manhattan
KENTUCKY
Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Co. Lexington
Bluegrass Brewing Co. Louisville
Bowling Green Brewing Co. Bowling Green
LOUISIANA
Heiner Brau LP Covington
MAINE
Allagash Brewing Portland
Andrew’s Brewing Lincolnville
Atlantic Brewing Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor Brewing Co. Bar Harbor
Freeport Brewing Co. Freeport
Growstown Brewery Brunswick
Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. Belfast
Oak Pond Brewing Skowhegan
Sebago Brewing Co. Gorham
Sheepscot Valley Brewing Co. Whitefield
Sparhawk Brewers South Freeport
MARYLAND
Clay Pipe Brewing Co. Westminster
Clipper City Brewing Co. Baltimore
DOG Brewing Co. Westminster
DuClaw Brewing Co. Abingdon
White Marsh Brewing Co./Red Brick Baltimore
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Beer Co. Boston
Buzzard’s Bay Brewing Co. Westport
Cape Ann Brewing Co. Gloucester
Cisco Brewers Nantucket
Cody Brewing Co. Danvers
Mayflower Brewing Co. Plymouth
Mercury Brewing Ipswich
Nashoba Valley Winery and Brewery Bolton
Paper City Brewing Holyoke
Pioneer Brewing
Sherwood Forest Brewing Co. Northborough
MICHIGAN
Arcadia Brewing Co. Battle Creek
Atwater Block Brewing Co, Detroit
Black Lotus Brewing Co. Clawson
Corner Brewery Ypsilanti
Dark Horse Brewing Co. Marshall
Dragonmead Brewery Warren
Fletcher Street Brewing Alpena
Founders Brewing Grand Rapids
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Dexter
Keweenaw Brewing Co. South Range
King Brewing Co. Pontiac
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. Warren
Lake Superior Brewing Co. Grand Marais
Michigan Brewing Co. Webberville
New Holland Brewing Co. Holland
Original Gravity Brewing Co. Milan
Redwood Brewing Co. Flint
Right Brain Brewery Traverse City
Round Barn Brewery Baroda
Royal Oak Brewery Royal Oak
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Douglass
Schmohz Brewery Grand Rapids
Shorts Brewing Co. Bellaire
MINNESOTA
Brau Brothers Brewing Company Lucan
Flat Earth Brewing Company St. Paul
Mantorville Brewing Compnay Mantorville
Surly Brewing Company Brooklyn Center
Vine Park Brewing Co. St. Paul
MISSISSIPPI
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. Kiln
MISSOURI
Augusta Brewing Co. Augusta
Charlevill Winery and Microbrewery St. Genevieve
O’Fallon Brewery O’Fallon
Tin Mill Brewing Company Hermann
Weston Brewing Co. Weston
MONTANA
Angry Hank’s Microbrewery Billings
Bayern Brewing Missoula
Beaver Creek Brewery Wibaux
Bitter Root Brewing Hamilton
Blackfoot River Brewing Helena
Blacksmith Brewing Co. Stevensville
Bozeman Brewing Co. Bozeman
Carter’s Brewing Billings
Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Bigfork
Glacier Brewing Co. Polson
Great Northern Brewing Whitefish
Harvest Moon Brewing Belt
Himmelberger Brewing Co. Billings
Kettlehouse Brewing Missoula
Lang Creek Brewery Kalispell
Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. Helena
Lone Peak Brewery Gallatin Gateway
Madison River Brewing Co. Belgrade
Montana Brewing Co. Billings
Neptune’s Brewery LLC Livingston
Quarry Brewing Butte
Red Lodge Ales Brewing Red Lodge
Tamarack Brewing Co. Lakeside
Wolf Pack Brewing Co. West Yellowstone
Yellowstone Valley Brewing Billings
NEBRASKA
Empyrean Brewing Co. Lincoln
Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. Pawnee City
Platte Valley Brewing Co. Kearney
Schilling Bridge Microbrewery Pawnee City
Spilker Ales Cortland
NEVADA
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery Reno
Buckbean Brewing Co. Reno
Joseph James Brewing Co. Henderson
Ruby Mountain Brewing Co. Clover Valley
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Pennichuck Brewing Co. Milford
Smuttynose Brewing Portsmouth
Tuckerman Brewing Conway
NEW JERSEY
Climax Brewing Roselle Park
Cricket Hill Brewing Fairfield
Flying Fish Brewing Co. Cherry Hill
High Point Wheat Beer Company Butler
River Horse Brewery Lambertville
NEW MEXICO
Abbey Beverage Co. LLC Sante Fe
II Vicino Brewing Co. Albuquerque
Marble Brewery Albuquerque
Santa Fe Brewing Santa Fe
Sierra Bianca Brewing Moriarty
NEW YORK
Blind Bat Brewery, LLC Centerport
Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue
Brewery Ommegang Cooperstown
Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn
Butternuts Beer & Ale Garrattsville
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. Pleasantville
Chelsea Brewing Co. New York
Cooper’s Cave Ale Co. Glens Falls
Cooperstown Brewing Co. Milford
Custom Brewcrafters, Inc. Brooklyn
Defiant Brewing Co. Pearl River
Flying Bison Brewing Co. Buffalo
Greenpoint Beer Works, Inc Brooklyn
Ithaca Beer Co. Ithaca
Keegan Ales Kingston
Lake Placid Craft Brewing
Middle Ages Brewing Co. Syracuse
Ramapo Valley Brewery Hillbrun
Six point Craft Ales Brooklyn
Southern Tier Brewing Co. Lakewood
NORTH CAROLINA
Big Boss Brewing Co. Raleigh
Carolina Beer and Beverage Co. Mooresville
Carolina Brewing Holly Springs
Catawba Valley Brewing Co. Glen Alpine
Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery Farmville
French Broad Brewing Co. Asheville
Green Man Brewing Co. Asheville
Heinzelmannchen Brewery Sylva
Highland Brewing Co. Asheville
Horseheads Brewing, Inc Horseheads
LoneRider Brewin Co. Raleigh
Natty Greene’s Brewin Co. Greensboro
Olde Hickory Brewery Hickory
Pisgah Brewing Co. Black Mountain
Red Oak Brewing Co. Whitsett
Triangle Brewing Co. Durham
Wedge Brewing Co. Asheville
Weeping Radish Brewery Jarvisburg
OHIO
Barrel House Brewing Co. Cincinnati
Black Box Brewing Co. Westlake
Buckeye Brewing Co. Cleveland
Cellar Rats Brewery Madison
Columbus Brewing Co. Columbus
Elevator Brewing Co. Marysville
Hall of Fame Brewing Co. Canton
Hoppin’ Frog Brewing Co. Akron
Indigo Imp Brewery Cleveland
Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. Akron
OKLAHOMA
Huebert Brewing Co. Oklahoma City
Marshall Brewing Co. Tulsa
OREGON
Beer Valley Brewing Co. Ontario
Calapoola Brewing Co. Albany
Caldera Brewing Co. Ashland
Captured by Porches Brewing Co. St. Helens
Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. Redmond
Full Sail Brewery Portland
Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. Portland
Heater Allen Brewery McMinnville
Mount Hood Brewing Co. Government Camp
Ninkasi Brewing Co. Eugene
Oakshire Brewing Eugene
Off The Rail Brewery Forest Grove
Oregon Trail Brewery Corvallis
Pale Horse Brewing Co. Salem
Seven Brides Brewery Silverton
Siletz Ales/Renegade Brewing Co. Siletz
Silver Moon Brewing Bend
SKW Brewing Newport
Southern Oregon Brewing Co. Medford
Terminal Gravity Brewing Co. Enterprise
Upright Brewing Co. Portland
Vertigo Brewing Hillsboro
Wakonda Brewing Co. Florence
Walkabout Brewing Co. Central Point
10 Barrel Brewing Co. Bend
PENNSYLVANIA
Appalachian Brewing Co. Harrisburg
Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Co. Williamsport
Dock Street Brewery Philadelphia
East End Brewing Co. Pittsburgh
Erie Brewing Co. Erie
Lancaster Brewing Co. Lancaster
Legacy Brewing Reading
Olde Forge Brewing Co. Dannville
One Guy Brewing Co. Berwick
Pennsylvania Brewing Co. Pittsburgh
Philadelphia Brewing Co. Philadelphia
Sly Fox Brewhouse Royersford
Sprague Farm and Brew Works Venango
Stoudts Brewing Co. Adamstown
Troegs Brewing Co. Harrisburg
Voodoo Brewing Co. Meadville
Weyerbacher Brewing Co. Easton
Yards Brewing Co. Philadelphia
RHODE ISLAND
Coastal Extreme Brewing Co. Newport
Narragansett Brewing Co. Cranston
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coast Brewing Co. North Charleston
New South Brewing Co. Myrtle Beach
Palmetto Brewing Co. Charleston
RJ Rockers Brewing Co. Spartanburg
Thomas Creek Brewery
SOUTH DAKOTA
Crow Peak Brewing Co. Spearfish
TENNESSE
Depot Street Brewing Co. Jonesborough
Ghost River Brewing Co. Memphis
Yazoo Brewing Co. Nashville
TEXAS
(512) Brewing Co. Austin
Franconia Brewing Co. Franconia
Healthy Brew Fort Worth
Independence Brewing Austin
Live Oak Brewing Co. Austin
Rahr and Sons Brewing Co. Fort Worth
Real Ale Brewing Company Blanco
Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Houston
Southern Star Brewing Conroe
VERMONT
Lawson’s Finest Liquids Warren
Rock Art Brewery Morrisville
Switchback Brewing Co. Burlington
Trout River Brewing Co. Lyndonville
VIRGINIA
Blue and Gray Brewing Co. Fredericksburg
Blue Mountain Brewery Afton
Legend Brewing Co. Richmond
Saint George Brewing Co. Hampton
Starr Hill Brewing Co. Crozet
Williamsburg Alewerks Williamsburg
WASHINGTON
Alpine Brewing Co. Oroville
Baron Brewing Company Seattle
Big Al Brewing Seattle
Cashmere Brewing Co. Cashmere
Diamond Knot Brewery Mukilteo
Dick’s Brewing Co. Centralia
Elk Head Brewing Co. Buckley
Ellersick Brewing Co. Lynnwood
Fish Brewing Co. Olympia
Foothills Brewing and Beverage Co. Black Diamond
Frank N Stein Ferndale
Hale’s Ales Brewery and Pub Seattle
Ice Harbor Brewing Co. Kennewick
Iron Horse Brewery Ellensburg
Laughing Buddha Brewing Co. Seattle
Lazy Boy Brewing Everett
Lost Falls Brewery Colville
Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. Seattle
Northern Ales Northport
Northern Lights Brewing Co. Spokane
Pike Brewing Co. Seattle
Port Townsend Brewing Co. Port Townsend
RAM/Big Horn Brewery Spokane
RAM/Big Horn Brewery Tacoma
Rattlesnake Mountain Brewery Richland
Rocky Coulee Brewing Odessa
Roslyn Brewing Co. Roslyn
Schooner Exact Brewing Co. Seattle
Skookum Brewery Arlington
Snoqualmie Brewery Snoqualmie
Two Beers Brewing Co. Seattle
Walking Man Brewing Co. Stevenson
Walla Walla Brewers Walla Walla
Whatcom Brewery Ferndale
Whitstran Brewing Co. Prosser
Yakima Craft Brewing Co. Yakima
WEST VIRGINA
Mountain State Brewing Co. Thomas
Mountaineer Brewing Co. Martinsburg
WISCONSIN
Bull Falls Brewery, LLC Wausau
Central Waters Brewing Co. Amherst
Falls Brewing Co. Oconto Falls
Gray Brewing Co. Janesville
Green Bay Brewing Co. Greenbay
Lake Louie Brewing Arena
Lakefront Brewery, Inc. Milwaukee
Logjam Micro Brewery Unity
Milwaukee Brewing Co. Milwaukee
Musky Capital Brewery Hayward
O’so Brewing Plover
Pearl Street Brewery LaCrosse
Potosi Brewing Co. Potosi
Rowland’s Calumet Brewing Chilton
Rush River Brewing Co. River Falls
Sand Creek Brewing Co. Black River Falls
Sprecher Brewing Co. Glendale
Tyranena Brewing Co. Lake Mills
Viking Brewing Co. Dallas
WYOMING
Snake River Brewing Co. Jackson
Suds Brothers Brewing Co. Evanston
BEER TYPES
Beer is either ale or a lager or some derivative thereof. The difference between the two being the type of yeast used and the length and temperature of the fermentation process. Listed below are some of the popular styles or types of microbrews.
ALES
These beers are produced with yeast that rises to the top during fermentation. The yeast ferments quicker resulting in a fruitier and sweeter taste.
ALTBIER
This is a German word for “old”. It is a smooth clean tasting German Ale.
BELGIUM ALE
These are similar to an English pale ale but with more malt and yeast character.
CREAM ALE
These are brewed as ale but may be finished with lager yeast. It is well carbonated with a pale gold color.
HEFEWEIZEN
A German wheat beer with little hops bitterness and moderate alcohol content. It has an unfiltered cloudy appearance.
INDIA PALE ALE
Hoppy medium bodied pale ale. Originally brewed in England with more hops to survive the journey to British troops stationed in India.
OATMEAL STOUT
A full bodied ale with a coffee flavor and nuttiness.
PALE ALE
An amber colored beer brewed with pale malts.
PORTER
A dark ale that is full bodied in taste. The unmalted barley is well roasted giving it a chocolaty bitter taste.
STOUT
This is a stronger version of porter ale using pale malt and roasted unmalted barley. Stout originated in Ireland as a variety of porter beer.
WHEAT BEER
Any beer that uses malted wheat and processed by top fermentation.
LAGERS
Lager comes from the German word lagern meaning “to store”. Lagers are brewed with a bottom fermenting yeast which requires longer periods of time to ferment. These beers tend to be less alcoholic than ales.
AMBER
Amber beers are copper or amber in color and are usually strong bodied in taste.
BOCK
This beer is a heavy, dark German lager with high alcohol content.
PILSNER
This lager is dry, highly hopped with a flowery aroma.
CALIFORNIA COMMON
These are brewed with a special strain of lager yeast that works better at warmer temperatures. A unique American lager dating back to the 1800’s derived in California. Originally known as Steam Beer, that name was trademarked by Anchor Brewing Co…
BREW PROCESS
Beer consists of barley, hops, yeast, and water. Today, most large breweries replace some of the barley with rice or corn to produce the lighter beers. With few exceptions, microbrewers use traditional ingredients. The brewing process is pretty straightforward but critical for master brewers to oversee each step.
· Microbrewers focus special attention on picking the best ingredients. Barley determines the color, flavor, and body of the beer so it’s crucial to prepare it correctly. It is steeped in cold water for 48 hours. Thereafter the barley is drained and placed in germination beds. After the barley has sprouted, usually within 3 days, the germination cycle ends and the grain is heated and dried in a kiln. This turns the barley into malt. Choosing hops is important since some produce smooth clean tastes while others are chosen for specific flavor or color characteristics. During the fermentation process the yeast converts the sugars
· The brewing process starts with the barley malt. It is ground by running it through a malt mill removing the starch from the husk. This crushed malt and husk mixture is then blended with warm water to form “mash”. The “mash” is then heated and stirred for approximately 2 hours allowing the starchy carbohydrates to be broken down into simple fermentable sugars. The mash is then strained and rinsed to produce a liquid called “wort”. The wort then flows through a brew kettle where it boils for 1-2 hours. During this process hops will be added to give the brew its flavor and aroma. The wort is then moved to a whirlpool allowing the sediment to settle at the bottom of the vessel. The brew is then decanted to the wort cooler and the sediment is discarded.
· Once the brew is cooled down to the fermentation temperature it is injected with sterile air and yeast. The air stimulates the yeast growth. During fermentation brewmasters use a controlled temperature to allow the yeast to ferment the simple malt sugars into ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, and the flavor and aroma compounds. Sometime during the fermentation process the fermenter exhaust is closed, pressurizing the tank and carbonating the beer. For ales the fermentation process is about 10 days, lagers take longer. The beer is then stored at about 30 degrees for a period of time to allow it to mature.
· Filtration is the final step before the beer is bottled or kegged. This removes yeast solids from the beer and refines the flavor and appearance of the beer.
CHOCOLATIERS
The listings below are some of the more well known American chocolatiers. A
separate listing of international chocolatiers is to come. This is in no way a
comprehensive directory so if you or someone you know is not listed please
leave a message on Favorite Chocolatier page.
Amano Chocolate
Orem, Utah
B.T. McElrath
Minneapolis, MN
Chocolate Artistry
Lebanon, PA
Chocolate Celeste
St. Paul, MN
Chocolaterie Stam
Des Moines, Ia
Fran’s Chocolates
Seattle, WI
Garrison Confections
Providence, RI
Jacques Torres Chocolates
New York, NY
Knipschildt Chocolatier
Norwalk, CT
Legacy Chocolates
Minneapolis, MN
Lillie Belle Farms
Jacksonville, OR
Martine’s Chocolates
New York, NY
Norman Love Confections
Fort Myers, FL
Recchiuti Confections
San Francisco, CA
Richard Donnelly Chocolates
Santa Cruz, CA
Scharfenberger Chocolate
San Francisco, CA
Sucre’
New Orleans, LS
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Chicago, IL
Woodhouse Chocolate
St. Helena, CA
YOUR FAVORITE
If you have a favorite chocolatier or chocolate shop please leave a comment below
CHOCOLATE 101
Where does chocolate come from?
Chocolate is the product of the cacao bean. They grow in pod-like fruits on tropical cacao trees.
What is the history of chocolate?
The cacao tree was discovered over 2,000 years ago in the rain forest of the Americas. The Mayans (300 to 900 A.D.) were the first known chocolate lovers and used it in rituals and religious ceremonies. They ground it up to make a frothy beverage. The Aztecs improved on the recipe adding sugar to sweeten it. They called the drink “Xocoati” meaning bitter water. Chocolate became so highly regarded in the Aztec culture it was used as currency. Spanish traders later took the seeds back to Spain and created more recipes.
How is chocolate made?
Chocolate making is a long extensive process that starts at a cacao farm and ends with distribution to consumers.
- It takes four to six years for a farmer to produce their first yield from cacao trees. Cacao trees are very difficult to grow; they can only survive in climates 20 degrees north and south of the equator and are prone to pest infestations. Cacao can not be harvested by machinery so the farmer has to pluck the pods by hand. After it is harvested, it is then fermented and dried in a two step process. Fermentation is the first critical process in the development of the bean’s flavor. Farmers then take the beans to a collection site where buyers can sample the quality of the crop. Traders and exporters then sell the seeds through the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange. Companies then process the chocolate into various products.
- Turning cacao seeds into chocolate is another long process. First, the seeds are put through a machine to sort out any debris and then weighed. Then one of the most important parts of the process, roasting, occurs. Large ovens roast the seeds at 250 degrees or higher to release the flavors of the beans. Roasting usually lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the type of cacao seed. The roasting process makes the outside shell brittle so they need to pass through another machine called a winnowing machine. The winnowing process removes the outer husk or shell, leaving behind the roasted bean, now called a nib. The nib is then ground into thick liquid called chocolate liquor, which is a cocoa solid suspended in cocoa butter. Some batches are then pressed to produce cocoa butter that is pulverized into cocoa powder while other batches use the chocolate liquor directly to make chocolate. To make dark chocolate, chocolate liquor, sugar, and other minor ingredients are mixed and kneaded until well blended. To make milk chocolate, milk and sugar are mixed together and mixed with chocolate liquor. Both dark and milk chocolates then go through the same process. The mixture travels through a series of heavy rollers pressing the ingredients until the mixture is a dry flake. Cocoa butter and an emulsifying agent are then added to make a smooth paste. By putting the chocolate through a kneading process, called conching, the flavor is developed more fully. The conches have heavy rollers that flow back and forth through the chocolate. The mixture is then tempered, allowing the chocolate to be heated, cooled, and then reheated to solidify the chocolate. The final step is moulding. The chocolate is pour into moulds and cooled in a cooling chamber.
What are the different types of chocolate?
- Chocolate liquor is the smooth, liquid paste made from grinding the cocao nib and does not contain alcohol
- Milk chocolate is very sweet, with up to 50 percent sugar, and has added milk solids and milk fats
- Semisweet chocolate is dark brown and lightly sweetened with sugar: contains at least 15% chocolate liquor
- Bittersweet chocolate is very dark and very lightly sweetened; contains at least 35% cocoa liquor
- Couverture is high quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate used for cooking, frosting, and making confectionery; has a high cocoa butter content and is used to make chocolate truffles and confections
- Gianduji is chocolate made with hazelnuts ground into powder
- Cocoa powder is unsweetened and used for baking; it has much of the fat removed
- White chocolate is not technically considered true chocolate because it is made from cocoa butter but not cocoa liquor
CHEESEMAKERS
ALABAMA
Name: Bulger Creek Farm
Owners: Melanie, Kyle, Willie, and Amanda Payne
Cheesemaker: Kyle Payne
Location: Notasulga, AL
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized goat’s milk
Name: Fromagerie Belle Chevre
Owner: Tasia Malakasis
Cheesemakers: Tasia Malakasis
Location: Elkmont, AL
Variety: Pasteurized Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Sweet Home Farm
Owners: Doug Wolbert and Alyce Birchenough
Cheesemaker: Alice Birchenough
Location: Elberta, AL
Variety: Farmstead, Guernsey cow’s milk
ARIZONA
Name: Black Mesa Ranch
Owners: Kathryn and David Heinanger
Cheesemaker: David Heinanger
Location: Snowflake,AZ
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Fiore Di Capra
Owners: Mike, Alethea, and Caitlyn Swift
Cheesemakers: Mike, Alethea, and Caitlyn Swift
Location: Pomerene, AZ
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized LaMancha goat’s milk
ALASKA
Name: Cranberry Ridge Farm
Owners: Matt and Rhonda Shaul
Cheesemaker: Rhonda and Matt Shaul
Location: Wasilla, AK
Variety: Farmstead, goat’s milk of varying breeds
CALIFORNIA
Name: Achadinha Cheese Company
Owners: Donna and Jim Pacheco
Cheesemakers: Donna and Jim Pacheco
Location: Petaluma, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, La Mancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Bellwether Farms
Owners: Cindy and Liam Callahan
Cheesemakers: Cindy and Liam Callahan
Location: Petaluma, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk and pasteurized Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Bodega Goat Cheese
Owner: Patty Karlin
Cheesemaker: Patty Karlin
Location: Bodega, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Fagundes Old-World Cheese
Owners: John Fagundes III, John Fagundes IV, and Bruce Fagundes
Cheesemakers: John Fagundes IV
Location: Hanford, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw and pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese Company
Owners: John B. Fiscalini
Cheesemakers: Mariano Gonzales, Daniel Rodriquez, Richard Machado, and Chris Montes
Location: Modesto, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Goat’s Leap Cheese
Owners: Barbara and Rex Backus
Cheesemakers: Barbara and Rex Backus
Location: St. Helena, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw La Mancha goat’s milk
Name: Harley Farms Goat Dairy
Owner: Dee Harley
Cheesemaker: Dee Harley
Location: Pescadero, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Matos Cheese Factory
Owners: Mary and Joe Matos
Cheesemakers: Mary and Joe Matos, and Sylvia Tucker
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese
Owners: Jill and Tim Pedrozo
Cheesemakers: Jill Pedrozo
Location: Orland, CA
Variety: Farmstead, organic, raw Brown Swiss, Holstein, and Jersey cows’ milk
Name: Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Jill Basch, Karen Howard, and Lynn Stray
Cheesemakers: Monte McIntyre and Rob Prokupek
Location: Point Reyes Station, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Pug’s Leap Farm
Owners: Pascal Destandau and Eric Smith
Cheesemakers: Pascal Destandau and Eric Smith
Location: Healdsburg, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Rinconada Dairy
Owners: Christine and Jim Maguire
Cheesemaker: Christine Maguire
Location: Santa Margarita, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian and Lacaune sheeps’ milk and Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Skyhill Napa Valley Farms
Owner: Amy Wend
Cheesemaker: John Dundon
Location: Napa, CA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Spring Hill Jersey Cheese
Owner: Larry Peter
Cheesemaker: Alex Perez
Location: Petaluma, CA
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, pasteurized and raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese
Owner: Marisa Hilarides Simoes
Cheesemaker: David Schultz
Location: Lindsay, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Winchester Cheese Company
Owners: Wesselink Family
Cheesemakers: Valerie Wesselink-Thomas, David Thomas, and Ithan Roderiquez
Location: Winchester, CA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
COLORADO
Name: Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy
Owner: Jim Schott
Cheesemakers: Justin Trosclair, Jackie Chang, Wendy Fruend
Location: Longmont, CO
Variety: Farmstead, goat milk of varying breeds-both pasteurized and raw
Name: James Ranch Artisan Cheese
Owners: Becca and Dan James
Cheesemakers: Becca and Dan James
Location: Durango, CO
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
CONNECTICUT
Name: Abbey of Regina Laudis
Owner: Order of Saint Benedict
Cheesemaker: Mother Noella Marcellino
Location: Bethlehem, CT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Dutch Belted cow’s milk
Name: Beltane Farm
Owner: Paul Trubey
Cheesemaker: Paul Trubey
Location: Lebanon, CT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized La Mancha and Oberhasli goat’s milk
Name: Bush Meadow Farm
Owners: Nancy and Barry Kaplan
Cheesemakers: Nancy and Barry
Location: Union, CT
Variety: Farmstead, Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Cato Corner Farm
Owners: Elizabeth MaCalister and Mark Gillman
Cheesemakers: Elizabeth and Mark
Location: Colchester, CT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Brown Swiss and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Meadow Stone Farm
Owners: Annemarie Prause and Kristopher Noiseux
Cheesemaker: Robert Noiseux
Location: Brooklyn, CT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Sanaan goat’s milk
Name: Rustling Wind Creamery
Owner: Joan Lamothe
Cheesemaker: Joan Lamothe
Location: Falls Village, CT
Variety: Farmstead, Jersey cow’s milk and raw and pasteurized goat’s milk
Name: Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm
Owners: Suzanne and Stanley Sankow
Cheesemakers: Suzanne and Stanley
Location: Lyme, CT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and East Fresian sheep’s milk and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Woodbridge Farm
Owners: Hiram and Anne Bingham
Cheesemaker: David Smagorinsky
Location: Salem, CT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Devon cow’s milk
GEORGIA
Name: Sweet Grass Dairy
Owners: Jessica and Jeremy Little
Cheesemaker: Jeremy Little
Location: Thomasville, Ga
Variety: Pasteurized and raw Jersey cow’s milk and Alpine, La Mancha, and Saanen goat’s milk
HAWAII
Name: Hawaii Island Goat Dairy
Owners: Heather and Dick Trelfall
Cheesemakers: Heather and Dick Trelfall
Location: Honokaa, HI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, Saanen, and Toggenburg goat’s milk
IDAHO
Name: Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese
Owners: Stacy and Steve Ballard
Cheesemakers: Stacy and Steve Ballard
Location: Gooding, ID
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Rollingstone Chevre
Owners: Karen and Charles Evans
Cheesemaker: Karen Evans
Location: Parma, ID
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Saanen goat’s milk
IOWA
Name: Maytag Dairy Farms
Owners: Maytag Family
Location: Newton, IA
Variety: Pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Northern Prairie Chevre
Owners: Connie Lawrance, Kathy Larson, Wendy Mickle
Cheesemakers: Connie Lawrance and Kathy Larson
Location: Woodward, IA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk
ILLINOIS
Name: Prairie Fruits Farm
Owners: Leslie Cooperband and Wes Jarrell
Cheesemakers: Leslie Cooperband
Location: Champaign, IL
Variety: Farmstead, Nubian and La Mancha goat’s milk
INDIANA
Name: Capriole Goat Cheese
Owner: Judith Shad
Cheesemaker: Judith Shad
Location: Greenville, IN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: The Swiss Connection
Owners: Mary, Kate, and Alan Yegerlehner
Cheesemaker: Kate Yegerlehner
Location: Clay City, IN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw cow’s milk
Name: Traders Point Creamery
Owners: Jane and Fritz Kuntz
Cheesemakers: Fons Smits
Location: Zionsville, IN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw certified organic Brown Swiss cow’s milk
KENTUCKY
Name: Gethsemani Farm
Owners: Order of Cistercians
Cheesemaker: Order of Cistercians
Location: Trappist, KY
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese
Owners: Beverly and Kenny Mattingly
Cheesemaker: Kenny Mattingly
Location: Austin, KY
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Kentucky Farmstead Cheese
Location: Brodhead, KY
LOUISIANA
Name: Belle Ecorce Farms
Owners: Wanda Barras
Cheesemaker: Wanda Barras
Location: Martinville, LA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Saanen, Nubian, and La Mancha goats’ milk
Name: Mauthe’s Dairy
Owners: Jaime and Kenny Mauthe
Cheesemakers: Jaime and Kenny Mauthe
Location: Folsom, LA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized cow’s milk
Name: Smith Creamery
Owners: Sandra and Warren Smith
Cheesemakers: Sandra and Warren Smith
Location: Mt. Herman, LA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
MAINE
Name: Appleton Creamery
Owner: Caitlan and Brad Hunter
Cheesemaker: Caitlan Hunter
Location: Appleton, ME
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw American Alpine goat’s milk; some sheep and cow’s milk
Name: Kennebec Cheesery
Owners: Jean and Peter Koons
Cheesemaker: Jean Koons
Location: Sidney, ME
Variety: Farmstead raw and pasteurized Alpine goat’s milk and certified organic Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Liberty Fields Farm
Owner: Anne and Joel Tripp
Cheesemaker: Anne Tripp
Location: Saco, ME
Variety: Farmstead pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Little Falls Farm
Owners: Mary and John Belding
Cheesemaker: Mary and John Belding
Location: Harrison, ME
Variety: Farmstead certified organic raw Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Longfellow’s Creamery
Owners: Kathleen Haigh-Trodden and Liam Trodden
Cheesemakers: Kathleen Haigh-Trodden and Liam Trodden
Location: Avon, ME
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic raw Jersey and Guernsey cow’s milk
Name: Seal Cove Farm
Owner: Barbara Brooks
Cheesemaker: Barbara Brooks
Location: Lamoine, ME
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Silvery Moon Creamery
Owners: Knight family and Jennifer Betancourt
Cheesemaker: Jennifer Betancourt
Location: Westbrook, ME
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Sleighbell Farm
Owner: Pixie Day
Cheesemaker: Pixie Day
Location: Washington, ME
Variety: Farmstead, Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Sunset Acres
Owners: Anne Bossi and Bob Bowen
Cheesemakers: Anne Bossi and Bob Bowen
Location: Brooksville, ME
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Townhouse Farm
Owner: Beth Whitman
Cheesemaker: Beth Whitman
Location: Whitefield, ME
Variety: Farmstead, East Friesian sheep’s milk
Name: Turner Centre Creamery
Owner: Gloria and Gregory Varney
Cheesemaker: Gloria Varney and Kristina Chasse
Location: Turner, ME
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, raw Brown Swiss, Holstein, and Jersey cow’s milk and Nubian, Toggenburg, Alpine, La Mancha, and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Udder View Farm
Owner: Christine Alexander
Cheesemaker: Christine Alexander
Location: Columbia, ME
Variety: Farmstead, Oberhasli goat’s milk
Name: York Hill Farm
Owners: Penny and John Duncan
Cheesemakers: Penny and John Duncan
Location: New Sharon, ME
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine and Saanen goat’s milk
MARYLAND
Name: South Mountain Creamery
Owner: Karen and Randy Sowers
Cheesemaker: Tony Brusco
Location: Middletown, MD
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized cow’s milk
MASSACHUSETTS
Name: Carlisle Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Tricia Smith and Michael Holland
Cheesemaker: Tricia Smith
Location: Carlisle, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Oberhasli goat’s milk
Name: Chase Hill Farm
Owners: Jeannette and Mark Fellows
Cheesemakers: Jeannette and Mark Fellows
Location: Warwick, MA
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, Normande-Holstein and Normande-Jersey crossbreed cow’s milk
Name: Crystal Brook Farm
Owners: Ann and Eric Starbard
Cheesemakers: Ann and Eric Starbard
Location: Sterling, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Essex Cheese Company
Owners: Mary Brown and Elizabeth and Peter Mulholland
Cheesemakers: Mary Brown and Elizabeth and Peter Mulholland
Location: Topsfield, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk and some Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Goat Rising Farm
Owner: John Miller
Cheesemaker: John Miller
Location: Charlemont, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Jersey cow’s milk and Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Gould Farm
Owner: William J. Gould Associates
Cheesemaker: Wayne Burkhart
Location: Monterey, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Hillman Farm
Owners: Carolyn and Joe Hillman
Cheesemakers: Carolyn and Joe Hillman
Location: Colrain, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Julima Cheese At Manny’s Dairy
Owners: Maria and Manny Moreira
Cheesemakers: Karla and Paulo De Souza
Location: Lancaster, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Martin’s Cheese Company
Owners: Ellen and Allen Martin
Cheesemakers: Ellen and Allen Martin
Location: Westport, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized cow’s milk
Name: Rawson Brook Farm
Owner: Susan Sellew
Cheesemaker: Susan Sellew
Location: Monterey, MA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Smith’s Country Cheese
Owners: Carol, Jennifer, and Dave Smith
Cheesemakers: Carol, Jennifer, and Dave Smith
Location: Winchendon, MA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
MICHIGAN
Name: Steve-n-sons Grassfields Cheese
Owners: Luke, Steve, and Jesse Meerman
Cheesemaker: Jesse Meerman
Location: Coopersville, MI
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, raw Friesian cow’s milk
MINNESOTA
Name: Donnay Dairy Farm
Owners: Leanne and Brad Donnay
Cheesemakers: Leanne and Brad Donnay
Location: Kimball, MN
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, pasteurized Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Green Pastures Dairy
Owners: Joy and Will Hedquist
Cheesemakers: Joy and Will Hedquist
Location: Carlton, MN
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey and Normande cow’s milk
Name: Shephard’s Way Farms
Owners: Jodi Ohlsen Read and Steven Read
Cheesemakers: Jodi Ohlsen Read and Steven Read
Location: Nerstrand, MN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw East Friesian sheep’s milk
Name: Stickney Hill Dairy
Owners: David and Bonnie Lenzmeier
Cheesemaker: Gerry Spoden
Location: Kimball, MN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized goat’s milk
MISSISSIPPI
Name: Haystack Dairy
Owners: Shirley and Joseph Stack
Cheesemakers: Shirley and Joseph Stack
Location: Carriere, MS
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk
MISSOURI
Name: Alpine Dairy Goats of St. Louis
Owner: Merryl Winstein
Cheesemaker: Merryl Winstein
Location: St. Louis, MO
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Goatsbeard Farm
Owners: Jennifer and Ken Muno
Cheesemakers: Jennifer and Ken Muno
Location: Harrisburg, MO
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine, Nubian, and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Stoney Acres Cheese
Owners: Debra and Richard Christman
Cheesemakers: Debra and Richard Christman
Location: Competition, MO
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian and Dorsett sheep’s milk
MONTANA
Name: Amaltheia Dairy
Owners: Susan and G. Melvyn Brown
Cheesemakers: Susan and G. Melvyn Brown
Location: Belgrade, MT
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic goat’s milk
Name: Lifeline Farm
Owners: Ernie Harvey, Luci Breiger, and Steve Elliot
Cheesemaker: Ernie Harvey
Location: Victor, MT
Variety: Farmstead, certified organic, pasteurized and raw Brown Swiss cow’s milk
NEBRASKA
Name: Jisa’s Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Bonnie and David Jisa
Cheesemakers: Bonnie and David Jisa
Location: Brainard, NE
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Name: Boggy Meadow Farm
Owner: Powell Cabot
Cheesemakers: Marcus Lovell Smith and Marius Hauri
Location: Walpole, NH
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein and Brown Swiss cow’s milk
Name: Full Moon Farm
Owners: Terri French and Bill Melville
Cheesemaker: Terri French
Location: Rochester, NH
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Toggenburg, and La Mancha goat’s milk
Name: Heart Song Farm
Owner: Valerie Davies
Cheesemaker: Valerie Davies
Location: Ironworks, NH
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized goat’s milk
Name: Via Lactea Farm
Owners: Jennifer and Andy Tapper
Cheesemakers: Jennifer and Andy Tapper
Location: Brookfield, NH
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian and La Mancha goat’s milk
NEW JERSEY
Name: Bobolink Dairy and Bakeyard
Owners: Nina and Jonathan White
Cheesemakers: Nina and Jonathan White
Location: Vernon, NJ
Variety: Farmstead, raw Ayrshire, Guernsey, Jersey, Kerry crossbreed cow’s milk
Name: Valley Shepherd Creamery
Owners: Eran and Debra Wajswol
Cheesemakers: Eran and Debra Wajswol
Location: Long Valley, NJ
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk and Jersey cow’s milk
NEW MEXICO
Name: Coonridge Organic Goat Cheese
Owner: Nancy Nathanya Coonridge
Cheesemaker: Nancy Nathanya Coonridge
Location: Pie Town, NM
Variety: Farmstead, organic, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, La Mancha goat’s milk
Name: Old Windmill Dairy
Owners: Michael and Edward Lobaugh
Cheesemakers: Michael and Edward Lobaugh
Location: Moriarty, NM
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Rocky Ridge Goat Dairy
Owners: Patrick Butler and Timothy Nelson
Cheesemakers: Patrick Butler and Timothy Nelson
Location: Gallup, NM
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine and Oberhasli goats’ milk
Name: South Mountain Dairy
Owners: Marge Peterson and Donna Lockridge
Cheesemakers: Marge Peterson and Donna Lockridge
Location: Edgewood, NM
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized La Mancha, Oberhasli, and Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Sweetwoods Dairy
Owners: Patrice, L., Ben, and Les Harrison-Inglis
Cheesemakers: Patrice, L., Ben, and Les Harrison-Inglis
Location: Pena Blanc, NM
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Saanen goat’s milk
NEVADA
Name: Oasis Farmstead Dairy
Owners: David and Joyce Nusz, Steve and Mona Miller
Cheesemakers: David and Joyce Nusz, and Steve and Mona Miller
Location: Fallon, NM
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized mixed goat’s breed milk
NORTH CAROLINA
Name: Celebrity Dairy
Owners: Fleming and Britton Pfann
Cheesemakers: Fleming and Briton Pfann
Location: Siler City, NC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, La Mancha, Saanen, and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Chapel Hill Creamery
Owners: Florence Hawley and Portia McKnight
Cheesemakers: Florence Hawley and Portia McKnight
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Elodie Farms
Owners: Anne Bisese and Dave Artigues
Cheesemakers: Anne Bisese and Dave Artigues
Location: Rougemont, NC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized mixed goats’ milk and cow’s milk
Name: Goat Lady Dairy
Owners: Ginnie, Lee, and Steve Tate
Cheesemakers: Ginnie and Steve Tate and Carrie Bradds
Location: Climax, NC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine, Nubian, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Sleepygoat Cheese
Owners: Della Williams and Jon Dorman
Cheesemakers: Della Williams and Jon Dorman
Location: Pelham, NC
Variety: Farmstead, raw and pasteurized Oberhasli goat’s milk
Name: Spinning Spider Creamery
Owners: Christine and Jeffrey Owen and family
Cheesemakers: Christine and Jeffrey Ownen and family
Location: Marshall, NC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Yellow Branch Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Karen Mickler and Brian DeGroot
Cheesemakers: Karen Mickler and Brian DeGroot
Location: Robbinsville, NC
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
OHIO
Name: Buckeye Grove Farm Cheese
Owners: Renae and Al Scheiderer and Dixie and Jake Scheiderer
Cheesemaker: Dixie Scheiderer
Location: Beallsville, OH
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Cold Rain Dairy
Owners: Emma and Tom Stout
Cheesemaker: Emma Stout
Location: Pataskala, OH
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Colonial Classics Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Kebria and William Dye
Cheesemakers: Kebria and William Dye
Location: Scio, OH
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Oakvale Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Dale and Jean King, Elizabeth and Randy Finke
Cheesemaker: Elizabeth Finke
Location: London, OH
Variety: Farmstead, raw predominately Holstein and Brown Swiss cows’ milk
OKLAHOMA
Name: Christian Cheese
Owners: LaWanna and George Christian
Cheesemakers: LaWanna and George Christian
Location: Kingfisher, OK
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Swan Brothers Dairy
Owner: Harley Swan, Jr.
Cheesemaker: Diane Swan Williamson
Location: Claremore, OK
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: HLA Country Farm
Owners: Allen and Judy Calvert
Cheesemakers: Allen and Judy Calvert
Location: Talala, OK
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk and Nubian goat’s milk
OREGON
Name: Alsea Acre Goat Cheese
Owner: Nancy Chandler
Cheesemaker: Nancy Chandler
Location: Alsea, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Ancient Heritage Dairy
Owners: Kathy and Paul Obringer
Cheesemakers: Kathy and Paul Obringer
Location: Scio, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw East Friesian sheep’s milk
Name: Fraga Farm Goat Cheese
Owners: Janice and Larry Neilson
Cheesemaker: Janice Neilson
Location: Sweet Home, OR
Variety: Farmstead, organic pasteurized and raw Alpine and Nubian goats’ milk
Name: Juniper Grove Farms
Owner: E. Pierre Kolisch
Cheesemaker: E. Pierre Kolisch
Location: Redmond, OR
Variety: Farmstead, raw Alpine, La Mancha, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Pholia Farm
Owners: Gianaclis and Vernon Caldwell
Cheesemakers: Gianaclis and Vernon Caldwell
Location: Rogue River, OR
Variety: Farmstead, raw Nigerian Dwarf goat’s milk
Name: Queseria Brands
Owners: Coelho Family
Cheesemakers: John Jr. and Tim Coelho
Location: Woodburn, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Jersey Cow’s milk
Name: River’s Edge Chevre
Owner: Patricia Morford
Cheesemaker: Patricia Morford
Location: Logsden, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Silver Falls Creamery
Owners: Linzi and Shawn Hanowell
Cheesemaker: Shawn Hanowell
Location: Aumsville, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, Nubian, and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Tumalo Farms
Owners: The DeCastilhos Family Trust
Cheesemakers: Margia and Flavio DeCastilhos
Location: Bend, OR
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized goat’s milk
Name: Willamette Valley Cheese Company
Owners: Melissa and Rod Volbeda
Cheesemakers: Melissa and Rod Volbeda
Location: Salem, OR
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw East Friesian sheep’s milk and Jersey cow’s milk
PENNSYLVANIA
Name: Birchwood Farms
Owner: Mike Tierney
Cheesemaker: Mike Tierney
Location: Newton, PA
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Everview Farm
Owners: Michele Rebuck and Jackie Stash
Cheesemaker: Jackie Stash
Location: Benton, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian, Alpine, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Heather Ridge Creamery
Owners: Miffie and Jim Kahler
Cheesemakers: Miffie and Jim Kahler
Location: Wellsboro, PA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein and Jersey cows’ milk
Name: Hendricks Farms and Dairy
Owners: Rachel and Trent Hendricks
Cheesemaker: Trent Hendricks
Location: Telford, PA
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw Ayrshire cow’s milk and Alpine and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Hilltop Meadow Farm
Owners: Eunice and L. Lamar Oberholtzer
Cheesemakers: L. Lamar Oberholtzer
Location: Pine Grove, PA
Variety: Farmstead, Jersey cow’s milk
Name: His Kids Dairy
Owners: Joyce and Paul Hails
Cheesemakers: Joyce and Paul Hails
Location: Wyalusing, PA
Variety: Farmstead, Nubian and Saanen goats’ milk and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Inn to the Seasons
Owners: Virginia and Bernard Jurkowski
Cheesemakers: Virginia and Bernard Jurkowski
Location: Canton, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine and Nigerian goats’ milk
Name: Keswick Creamery
Owners: Susan and Bill Dietrich, Melanie and Mark Dietrich Cochran
Cheesemakers: Melanie Dietrich Cochran
Location: Newburg, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Klein Farms Dairy and Creamery
Owners: Beth and Layne Klein
Cheesemakers: Beth and Layne Klein
Location: Easton, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Menhennett Farm
Owner: Annette Menhennett
Cheesemaker: Lee Cook
Location: Cochranville, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Shropshire sheep’s milk
Name: Mountain Meadows Farm
Owners: Rosalyn and Glen Wenger
Cheesemakers: Rosalyn and Glen Wenger
Location: Richfield, PA
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Otterbein Acres
Owners: Lena and John Fisher
Cheesemaker: Barbara Fisher
Location: Newburg, PA
Variety: Farmstead, East Friesian, Dorset, and Romanov crossbreed sheep’s milk and some Jersey cow’s mild
Name: Painted Hand Farm
Owner: Sandra Kay Miller
Cheesemaker: Sandra Kay Miller
Location: Newburg, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Patches of Star Dairy
Owner: Elly Hushour
Cheesemaker: Carl Barucki
Location: Nazareth, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Pipe Dreams Fromage
Owners: Jennifer Greenlee and Brad Parker
Cheesemaker: Lauretta Reynolds
Location: Greencastle, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Saanen goat’s milk
Name: Shellbark Hollow Farm
Owner: Pete Demchur
Cheesemaker: Pete Demchur
Location: West Chester, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Stone Meadow Farm
Owners: Debra Heller and Brian Futhey
Cheesemakers: Debra Heller and Brian Futhey
Location: Woodward, PA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey and Milking Shorthorn’s cows’ milk
Name: Sweetwater Valley Cheese
Owners: Celia and John Harrison
Cheesemakers: Celia and John Harrison
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Travis Bountiful Acres
Owners: Dorothy, David and Zachary Travis
Cheesemakers: Dorothy, David and Zachary Travis
Location: Carlisle, PA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, La Mancha, Nubian, and Oberhasli goats’ milk
Name: Wakefield Dairy
Owner: Henry Lapp
Cheesemaker: Henry Lapp
Location: Peach Bottom, PA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Wil-ar Farms
Owners: Arlene and Wilmer Newswanger
Cheesemakers: Arlene and Wilmer Newswanger
Location: Newville, PA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
SOUTH CAROLINA
Name: Split Creek Farm
Owners: Patricia Bell and Evin J. Evans
Cheesemakers: Evin J. Evans and Jessica Bell
Location: Anderson, SC
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine and Nubian goats’ milk
TENNESSEE
Name: Bonnie Blue Farm
Owners: Gayle and Jim Tanner
Cheesemakers: Gayle and Jim Tanner
Location: Waynesboro, TN
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian and Saanen goats’ milk
Owners: Sheri Palko and Tim Clark
Cheesemakers: Sheri Palko and Tim Clark
Location: Knoxville, TN
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk and some pasteurized Jersey milk
UTAH
Name: Drake Family Farms
Owners: Jeanette, Daniel, Richard, and Ron Drake
Cheesemakers: Jeanette and Ron Drake
Location: West Jordan, UT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Rockhill Creamery
Owners: Jennifer Hines and Pete Schropp
Cheesemakers: Jennifer Hines and Pete Schropp
Location: Richmond, UT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Brown Swiss cow’s milk
VERMONT
Name: Blue Ledge Farm
Owners: Hannah Sessions and Gregory Bernhardt
Cheesemakers: Hannah Sessions and Gregory Bernhardt
Location: Salisbury, VT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine, La Mancha, and Nubian goats’ milk
Name: Blythedale Farm
Owners: Rebecca and Thomas Loftus
Cheesemakers: Rebecca and Thomas Loftus
Location: Craftsbury Common, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian and Lacaune sheep’s milk
Name: Champlain Valley Creamery
Owners: Carlton Yoder and Moira Cook
Cheesemaker: Carlton Yoder
Location: Vergennes, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic Brown Swiss, Holstein, and Jersey cows’ milk
Name: Consider Bardwell Farm
Owners: Angela Miller and Russell Glover
Cheesemakers: Peter Dixon and Peggy Galloup
Location: West Pawlett, VT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Oberhasli goat’s milk and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Crawford Family Farm
Owners: Cindy, Sherry, and Jim Crawford
Cheesemaker: Maria Trumpler
Location: Whiting, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Ayrshire cow’s milk
Name: Dancing Cow Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Karen and Steve Getz and Jeanne Finnerty
Cheesemakers: Karen Getz and Jeanne Finnerty
Location: Bridport, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw Guernsey and Jersey cows’ milk
Name: Doe’s Leap Goat Farm
Owners: Kristin Doolan and George van Vlaanderen
Cheesemakers: Kristin Doolan and George van Vlaanderen
Location: East Fairfield, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic pasteurized and raw goat’s milk
Name: Green Mountain Blue Cheese
Owners: Dawn Morin-Boucher and Daniel Boucher
Cheesemakers: Dawn Morin-Boucher and Daniel Boucher
Location: Highgate Center, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Holstein , Normande, and crossbreed cows’ milk
Name: Hope Farm Sheep Cheese
Owners: Barbara and Harvey Levin
Cheesemakers: Barbara and Harvey Levin
Location: East Charleston, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian-Lacaune crossbreed sheep’s milk
Name: Jasper Hill Farm
Owners: Mateo and Angie Kehler, Andy and Victoria Kehler
Cheesemakers: Mateo and Angie Kehler, Andy and Victoria Kehler
Location: Greensboro, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Ayrshire cow’s milk
Name: Lake’s End Cheese
Owners: Joanne and Alton James
Cheesemakers: Joanne and Alton James
Location: Alburg, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic raw and pasteurized Jersey cow’s milk and Toggenburg goat’s milk
Name: Lazy Lady Farms
Owner: Laini Fondiller
Cheesemaker: Laini Fondiller
Location: Westfield, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic, pasteurized and raw cow’s and goat’s milk
Name: Orb Weaver Farm
Owners: Marjorie Susman and Marion Pollack
Cheesemakers: Marjorie Susman and Marion Pollack
Location: New Haven, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Peaked Mountain Farm
Owners: Ann and Bob Works
Cheesemakers: Ann and Bob Works
Location: Townshend, VT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw East Friesian sheep and some cows and goat’s milk
Name: Thistle Hill Farm
Owners: Janine and John Putnam
Cheesemakers: Janine and John Putnam
Location: North Pomfret, VT
Variety: Farmstead, organic, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Three Owls Sheep Dairy
Owners: Daphne and Dan Hewitt
Cheesemakers: Daphne and Dan Hewitt
Location: Granville, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk
Name: Vermont Shepherd
Owners: David Major and Yesenia Ielpi
Cheesemaker: David Major
Location: Putney, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw Dorset, Friesian, and Tunis sheep’s milk
Name: Willow Hill Farm
Owners: Willow Smart and David Phinney
Cheesemakers: Willow Smart
Location: Milton, VT
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw sheep’s and cow’s milk
Name: Woodcock Farm Cheese Company
Owners: Gari and Mark Fischer
Cheesemakers: Gari and Mark Fischer
Location: Weston, VT
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk and some cow’s milk
VIRGINIA
Name: Everona Dairy
Owner: Pat Elliott
Cheesemaker: Pat Elliott
Location: Rapidan, VA
Variety: Farmstead, raw East Friesian sheep’s milk
Name: Goats-R-Us
Owners: Robin, Amos, and John Dobson
Cheesemakers: Robin, Amos, and John Dobson
Location: Blackstone, VA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, La Mancha, Nubian, and Saanen goats’ milk
Name: Green Haven Farm Cheeses
Owners: Pamela and William Green
Cheesemaker: Pamela Green
Location: Woodstock, VA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Iron Rod Chevre
Owners: Leslie and Larry Sidwell
Cheesemakers: Leslie and Larry Sidwell
Location: Earlysville, VA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Meadow Creek Dairy
Owners: Helen and Rick Feete
Cheesemakers: Helen and Rick Feete
Location: Galax, VA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Night Sky Farm Goat
Location: Brookneal, VA
Name: Oak Spring Dairy
Owners: Oak Springs Farm, LLC
Cheesemakers: Tammy and Allen Bassler and Jessica Murphy
Location: Upperville, VA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Brown Swiss and Jersey cows’ milk
Name: Sullivan’s Pond Farm
Owners: Rona, Tim, and Cole Sullivan
Cheesemakers: Rona, Tim, and Cole Sullivan
Location: Wake, VA
Variety: Farmstead, raw mixed breed goat’s milk
Name: Sunny Hill Farm
Owners: Tenille and Connie Martin
Cheesemakers: Tenille and Connie Martin
Location: Riner, VA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Icelandic sheep’s milk
WASHINGTON
Name: Appel Farms
Owners: Ruth and John Appel, Ann and Rich Appel
Cheesemaker: John Appel
Location: Ferndale, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Country Pride Farm
Owners: Cindy and Dennis Mason
Cheesemakers: Cindy and Dennis Mason
Location: Ridgefield, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Nubian goat’s milk
Name: Estella Family Creamery
Owners: Kelli and Anthony Estrella
Cheesemaker: Kelli Estrella
Location: Montesano, WA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Normande and Brown Swiss cows’ milk and La Mancha goat’s milk
Name: Golden Glen Creamery
Owners: Judy and Brandy Jenson
Cheesemakers: Judy and Brandi Jenson and Sue Shields
Location: Bow, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein and Guernsey cows’ milk
Name: Gothberg Farms
Owners: Rhonda and Roy Gothberg
Cheesemakers: Rhonda and Roy Gothberg
Location: Bow, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized La Mancha goat’s milk
Name: Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy
Owner: Dawn Jump
Cheesemaker: Dawn Jump
Location: Ocean Park, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Alpine, La Mancha, Oberhasli, Saanen, and Toggenburg goats’ milk
Name: Monteillet Frommagerie
Owners: Joan and Pierre-Louis Monteillet
Cheesemakers: Joan and Pierre-Louis Monteillet
Location: Dayton, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw French Alpine goat’s milk and cross breed Friesian-Lacaune sheep’s milk
Name: Quillisascut Cheese Company
Owners: Lora Lee and Rick Misterly
Cheesemakers: Lora Lee and Rick Misterly
Location: Rice, VA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Alpine and Nubian goats’ milk
Name: Rainhaven Farm
Owner: Debbie Higgins
Cheesemaker: Debbie Higgins
Location: Duvall, WA
Variety: Farmstead, raw Toggenburg goat’s milk
Name: Sally Jackson Cheese
Owners: Sally and Roger Jackson
Cheesemaker: Sally Jackson
Location: Oroville, WA
Variety: Farmstead, Brown Swiss and Guernsey cows’ milk, Alpine and Nubian goats’ milk and Suffolk, East Friesian, and Romanov sheep’s milk
Name: Samish Bay Cheese
Owners: Suzanne and Roger Wechsler
Cheesemakers: Suzanne and Roger Wechsler
Location: Bow, WA
Variety: Farmstead, organic, pasteurized and raw Dutch Belted, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorn cows’ milk
Name: Sea Breeze Farm
Owners: Kris and George Page
Cheesemakers: Kris and George Page
Location: Vashon Island, WA
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorn cows’ milk and Alpine goat’s milk
Name: Steamboat Island Goat Farm
Owner: Jason Drew
Cheesemaker: Jason Drew
Location: Olympia, WA
Variety: Farmstead, raw French Alpine goat’s milk
WEST VIRGINIA
Name: Blue Highland Dairy
Owners: Jodie and Adam Cook
Cheesemakers: Jodie and Adam Cook
Location: Berkeley Springs, WV
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Ayrshire, Holstein, and Jersey cows’ milk
WISCONSIN
Name: Butler Farms
Owners: Janet and Bill Butler
Cheesemakers: Janet and Bill Butler
Location: Whitehall, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Dorset, Lacaune, and Tunis sheep’s milk and some cow’s milk
Name: Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Charles, George, Thomas, and Mark Crave
Cheesemakers: George Crave
Location: Waterloo, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Dreamfarm
Owners: Diana and James Murphy
Cheesemaker: Diana Murphy
Location: Cross Plains, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine, La Mancha, and Nubian goats’ milk
Name: Fantome Farm
Owners: Anne Topham and Judy Boree
Cheesemakers: Anne Topham and Judy Borree
Location: Ridgeway, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Alpine and Nubian goats’ milk
Name: Gingerbread Jersey
Owners: Carolyn and Virgil Schunk
Cheesemakers: Carolyn and Virgil Schunk
Location: Augusta, WI
Variety: Farmstead, cow’s milk
Name: Hennings Cheese
Owners: Kerry, Everett, and Kert Henning and Kay Henning-Schmitz
Cheesemakers: Kerry and Everett Henning
Location: Kiel, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized Holstein cow’s milk
Name: Hidden Springs Creamery
Owners: Brenda and Dean Jensen
Cheesemaker: Brenda Jensen
Location: Westby, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw, East Friesian and Lacaune sheep’s milk
Name: Lovetree Farmstead Cheese
Owners: Mary and David Falk
Cheesemakers: Mary and David Falk
Location: Grantsburg, WI
Variety: Farmstead, pasteurized and raw Trade Lake sheep and Jersey cow’s milk
Name: Saxon Homestead Creamery
Owners: Klessig Family
Cheesemakers: Kathleen Klessig and Jerry Heimerl
Location: Cleveland, WI
Variety: Farmstead, raw and pasteurized Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Jersey cross cow’s milk
Name: Uplands Cheese
Owners: Jeanne and Dan Patenaude and Carol and Mike Gingrich
Cheesemaker: Mike Gingrich
Location: Dodgeville, WI
Variety: Farmstead, raw milk Abondance, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, and Normande cows’ milk
CHEESE STYLES
Fresh or soft cheese
Fresh cheeses have not been aged and have had no time to develop a rind. They have high moisture content and are usually mild in flavor. They can be smooth and creamy or crumbly like feta cheese.
- cottage cheese
- ricotta cheese
- goat, chevre, and feta cheese
- mozzarella
- marscapone
Soft ripened cheeses
These cheeses are ripened from the outside in and have high moisture content. They are usually soft and creamy with a mild taste.
- Brie
- Camembert
Semi-soft cheese
These cheeses have a smooth interior with little or no rind and are generally not aged for a long period of time. They will also have high moisture content and can range from very mild in taste to pungent.
- Monterey jack
- Colby
- Havarti
Semi-hard cheeses
Semi-hard cheeses have less moisture because of the process of how the cheese is made. The curd is cut finely then heated in a large vat to drain off the whey. This method results in a drier product.
- Cheddar
- Gouda
- Gruyere
Hard cheeses
The exterior of this cheese is thick and dense. It is often waxed or oiled. As with semi-hard cheeses, these cheeses also drain off the whey to reduce moisture. They are aged for longer periods of time resulting in full flavored cheeses.
- Parmagiano-Reggiano
- Asiago
- Pecorino
Blue cheeses
The blue moulds, generally Penicillium roqueforti need oxygen to develop their color. This is achieved by piercing the cheese with rods. The blue grows along the tunnel, cracks, and then settles between the packed curd.
- Roquefort
- Gorgonzola
- Maytag Blue
Washed rind cheeses
Washed rind describes those cheeses that are surface-ripened by washing the cheese throughout the aging process usually with brine, which helps to maintain internal moisture and encourage the growth of special bacteria. This results in the orange rind and strong flavor.
- Aged brick
- Muenster
- Taleggio
CHEESE PAIRINGS
Pairing cheese with wine always enhances the taste of each primarily because the tannins in the wine react with the protein and fat in the cheese. Although there are no steadfast rules to pairing these two, there are simple guidelines that will raise your experience and allow both the wine and cheese to blossom.
- Creamy cheeses go best with highly acidic white wines
- Fresher cheeses go better with fruitier wines
- There are far more cheeses choices to pair with high acid whites than mature reds
- The harder the cheese the higher the wine tannin level needing a full bodied red
Basic examples listed below, paired with wines ranging from light white to robust red:
- Brie with Chardonnay
- Chevre with Sauvignon Blanc
- Asiago with Pinto Gris
- Colby with Reisling
- Gouda with Pinot Noir
- Cheddar with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Camembert with Merlot
- Aged Cheddar with Syrah
- Bleu with Port
Grape Variety of the Week
(One you might not have heard of!)
Negroamaro is a red wine grape native to southern Italy and the signature grape of the Puglia region. Its name translates to black bitter referring to its deep color. The most widely planted grape in this region it can be bottled alone but really shines in blends.
My husband and I opened up a bottle of Tormaresca Neprica 2007 over the weekend. A blend of 40% negroamaro, 30% primitivo, and 30% cabernet sauvignon produced a deep ruby red color with and intense earthy nose. This wine was full bodied with good structure and dark fruit flavor. The first glass proved to stand up to the 90 points given to it by Wine Enthusiast.
With the second glass poured, meal preparation and playing with the grandchildren took precedence, it had time to breathe. The wine lost some of its appeal becoming slightly bitter. I attributed this to being a young wine. Still, this wine was a good value at 13.99 a bottle from our local liquor store. My suggestion would be to hold onto it a year or two or if you do open now don’t decant and enjoy promptly.
Information on the history of micro brews, the beer making process, micro brew styles, and a listing of microbreweries in the U.S. are featured in this section.
Chocolatiers from around the world will be featured along with a listing of great chocolatiers in this country. Basic knowledge of chocolate making is shared along with a comments section to allow the reader a chance to let others know of their favorite chocolatier.
The artisan cheese community in the United States has seen a revolution in the last 30 years. Consumers have a renewed interest in locally produced foods and wines-U.S. artisan cheese producers have overtaken a niche once belonging to the European market. According to the American Cheese Society, the word “artisan or artisanal implies that a cheese is produced primarily by hand, in small batches, with particular attention paid to the tradition of the cheesemaker’s art, and thus using as little mechanization as possible in the production of the cheese”. Most simply, it is made mostly by hand, in small batches, and usually reflects the region it was produced in. There will be upcoming profiles on artisan cheesemakers and a listing of master cheesemakers throughout the country. This section also includes cheese styles and information on the cheese making process.
