June Cheese Club: Iowa

Cheese ClubMD-MSGC-USAMeredith Dairy
Marinated Sheep & Goat Cheese
Australia

A creamy, spreadable blend of sheep and goat cheese, marinated in Australian extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and herbs. This luxurious cheese is incredibly addictive and versatile.

Meredith Dairy is committed to sustainability, growing their own animal feed and bedding straw, repurposing cheese whey as cattle feed, and using natural fertilizer. Every day, they craft cheese from freshly collected sheep and goat milk. Once formed, the fresh cheese is marinated in a blend of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and fresh thyme. The result is a luxuriously creamy, tangy, and well-balanced cheese.

Enjoy this marinated cheese spread over crusty bread, paired with grilled vegetables, or tossed into a salad. Don’t let the leftover marinating oil go to waste—it makes a delicious base for salad dressings.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pair it with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to highlight the cheese’s tangy brightness and complement the herbs in the marinade. For beer, try a Belgian-style Saison—its peppery notes and effervescence balance the richness beautifully.

WINESTYLES: Crisp
BEERSTYLES:
Bitter

ABOUT THE CREAMERY:
Meredith Dairy is located about 50 miles west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Originally a farm dedicated to beef, lamb, and wool, it faced challenges when the sheep and wool industries declined in the 1990s. In response, owners Sandy and Julie Cameron turned to sheep and goat cheesemaking, ultimately establishing a farmstead dairy. They expanded their herd with more sheep and goats and built multiple milking platforms to support their new venture. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Meredith Dairy and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.


Grafton Village Cheese Maple Smoked Cheddar CheeseGrafton Village Cheese Co.
Maple Smoked Cheddar Cheese
Grafton, Vermont

A New England classic. This young cheddar is cold-smoked over maple and hardwood for up to four hours, imparting the signature aroma and satisfying flavor of this classic cheese.

Grafton’s Maple Smoked Cheddar has a mild, buttery body with heady aromas of campfire and smoked ham. A sweet finish recalls memories of toasted marshmallows.

This is a versatile cheese that can occupy nearly any culinary slot. Pair with dried apricots, pickled ramps and cured meats for a cheese board. Maple Smoked Cheddar is a natural pairing with mustard and can add depth to a ham sandwich. It is a superb melter.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pair it with an Oregon Pinot Noir or a young California Merlot to complement the cheese’s smoky-sweet finish. For beer, a Vermont brown ale or rich porter enhances the maple and savory notes beautifully.

WINESTYLES: Fruity
BEERSTYLES: Malty

ABOUT GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE CO.:
Grafton Village Cheese, established in 1892 in Grafton, Vermont, began as a cooperative of local dairy farmers converting surplus raw milk into cheese. After a fire destroyed the original factory in 1912, the nonprofit Windham Foundation revived the company in the 1960s, aiming to support Vermont’s rural communities. Today, Grafton continues its tradition of handcrafting award-winning cheeses using premium unpasteurized milk sourced from small, local family farms. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Grafton Village Cheese Co. and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.


Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!

Match Made in Heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >

June Cheese Club: Iowa

Cheese ClubArtequeso-cheeseArtequeso Manchego Artesano D.O.P. Semi-Curado La Mancha, Spain

Made in the heart of Spain’s La Mancha region, Artequeso’s Manchego cheese is a taste of tradition. Crafted on the La Prudenciana Estate using milk from their herd of 1,000 Manchego sheep, this cheese has arrived to the US with great accolades, it was even featured on Mario Batali’s “Spain…On the Road Again” show. Aged for 4 months, it boasts a mild yet flavorful taste with a soft, stretchy texture. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: As they say, what grows together, goes together! Enjoy this Spanish cheese with any of our June Wine Club wines from Spain. It will also pair nicely with an unoaked Chardonnay. If you prefer red, pair with a good Tempranillo, Malbec or Chianti. For our beer lovers, we have two different recommendations to pair with this delicious cheese: Ciders or Malty beers… choose your own adventure! WINESTYLES: Rich, Bold or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Sour, Tart & Funky or Malty & Sweet PRODUCTION: This unparalleled raw milk Manchego is exclusively produced using sheep’s milk collected from local herds. Once the milk is collected, Artequeso Manchego cheese is produced following only the strictest of artisan traditions, during which cheesemaker Alfonso Alvarez and his staff keep absolute control over each step of the cheesemaking process; this includes curd cutting, whey drainage, salting, and finally drying. Once the process is complete, each wheel is carefully tended to during the affinage process, with particular attention to controlled temperature and humidity levels. ABOUT ARTEQUESO: Artequeso is a family-run business dedicated to producing high-quality cheese in La Mancha, Spain. Utilizing traditional methods and the finest Manchega sheep’s milk, they have crafted a reputation for excellence. Their products reflect a commitment to authenticity, heritage, and environmental sustainability, embodying the rich culinary tradition of the region. Artequeso’s cheeses are celebrated for their distinct flavors and textures, achieved through meticulous care in every step of the cheesemaking process. For more details, click here. Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. and Artequeso- All Rights Reserved.

hooks-5-year-cheddarHook’s Cheese Company Inc. Five-Year Aged Cheddar Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Made with pasteurized cow’s milk, featuring a vegetarian rennet, Hook’s Five-Year Aged Cheddar Cheese is a customer favorite. It is sharp, acidic, and a perfect accompaniment to any cheese board. It is made in five-pound blocks, which allows the cheese to develop rich, complex flavors over time. In some years, delicate proteins form crunchy pockets of caramelized goodness. FOOD PAIRING: Make a yummy cheese and charcuterie board with dried fruits, bitter chocolate, quince paste, olives, pate, cornichon pickles, grained mustard, peppadew peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, assorted salami, and prosciutto. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing this cheese with white wines, reach for a Riesling, Chardonnay or anything with bubbles. For a red wine, grab a Syrah or Pinot Noir. For our beer lovers out there, enjoy with a Saison, Cider or Belgian Ale; and if you want to get really fancy with it, pair this cheese with your favorite Bourbon! WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean
Hook's Cheese Company

© Photo by Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.

ABOUT HOOK’S CHEESE COMPANY: In 1970 Tony Hook began apprenticing at a small cheese factory in Barneveld and got his cheesemakers license in 1972. In 1976, college sweethearts, Tony and Julie, formed Hook’s Cheese Company. At that time they only produced Cheddar and some Swiss. Since then, they have not only grown into a much larger factory, they have also expanded their lines of cheese. This duo continues to produce award winning cheeses including Colby, Monterey Jack, Maple Jack, Muenster, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, Swiss, Havarti, Gouda, Blue Cheese and many others. Information and photo © Zuercher & Co., Fromagination and Hook’s Cheese Company- All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!Match Made in Heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

June Cheese Club: Iowa

Cheese ClubPoint Reyes Toma CheesePoint Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. TomaProvence Point Reyes Station, California

The rich texture and buttery flavor that make Toma a true American original provides a perfect base for a line of cheeses that are as unique as they are delicious. This pasteurized, cow’s milk cheese has a full, savory, Mediterranean flavor. Herbs de Provence – a blend that includes rosemary, basil, marjoram, savory and wild thyme – have been added to complement the creamy butter notes of Toma (thus the name, Toma Provence). Great as a snacking cheese, or pair with olives, a fresh baguette and an abundant charcuterie board and a buttery Chardonnay. Learn more about the history of the Giacomini family dairy farm and the new generation of sister cheesemakers at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese.  Be sure to check out Jane Pauly’s feature segment below, that aired on NBC’s Today show in July 2013. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Pair this cheese with a crisp Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, or a buttery Chardonnay. For beer, look for a hoppy IPA. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity BEERSTYLES: Hoppy & Bitter Information © Points Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. – All Rights Reserved. © Video by NBC Today’s Show
PRFC Today Show from Great Matter on Vimeo.

Sainte Mere Abbaye_Cheese Image copyIsigny Ste-Mère Abbaye Ste-Mère St- Paulin Normandy, France

This pasteurized cow’s milk cheese is a member of the Port-du-Salut family. Originally made by the Trappist monks of Saint-Paulin, it can be recognized by its fine, moist rind, its yielding texture and its slightly salty taste. With its semi-soft texture, this French cheese has a smooth, fruity taste with a slightly stronger finish. Its natural mildness gives way to both taste and character.   WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Enjoy this cheese with a Chenin Blanc or a Beaujolais. For beer, this cheese will pair beautifully with a Hefeweizen, Amber Ale, Belgium Ale (any Trappist Ale), or a Normandy Cider. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!Match Made in Heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

June Cheese Club: Iowa

Cheese ClubBeehive Queen Bee PorciniBeehive Cheese  Queen Bee Porcini Cheddar Uintah, Utah

The rind of this rich and creamy Utah cheddar is hand-rubbed with Porcini mushrooms, imparting an earthy, umami notes throughout the paste of the cheese. On the palate, you can expect all the creaminess of the Beehive Cheese’s award-winning Promontory cheddar to be combined with savory notes from the Porcini mushrooms. world-cheese-awardProduction: Regalis Porcini mushrooms are pulverized into a fine power, rubbed on the rind of the cheese, and then aged. During the aging process, the earthy flavors permeate throughout the 20-pound wheel of cheese and marry beautifully with the natural sweetness of the cheddar. The Gist: Aged for 6-8 months; Vegetarian Rennet; Cow’s Milk Serving Recommendation: Salami, assortment of pickled/brined veggies or olives. It has superb melting capabilities, perfect for risotto or mac and cheese. Awards: Super Gold WCA 2021, 2022 WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Pairs well with a Sangiovese or Pinot Noir, such as our June Wine Club – La Montage Pinot Noir. For beer, reach for an American Pale Ale. WINESTYLES: Mellow BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

Beehive Cheese TeahiveBeehive Cheese Teahive Cheddar Uintah, Utah

This Utah cheddar rubbed with Earl Grey is a “feel good” cheese. The soothing qualities of tea and the relaxing properties of bergamot combine to produce a lovely cheese with rich fragrances of orange blossoms. On the palate, it is sweet and creamy. This Jersey cow’s milk cheese immediately delights the palate and the complexities of the tea-rubbed rind continue through the finish. Silver World Cheese AwardThe Gist: Aged for 6-8months; Vegetarian rennet; Cow’s milk; Gluten-friendly product; Organic, non-GMO ingredients in the rub Serving Recommendation: Pair with stone fruits, berries, charcuterie, toasted nuts, or top with honey or jam. This cheese is perfect on scones, baked into shortbread biscuits, or sliced on a sandwich. Awards:
  • 1st ACS 2012
  • Silver WCA 2017, 2018, 2019
  • 2nd ACS 2015
  • 2nd IMPA 2018
  • 2nd British Empire Cheese Competition 2018
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Serve with a fruit forward red wine, or a Chardonnay, such as our June Wine Club – M by Martellotto Chardonnay. For beer, reach for a stout, mead or cider. WINESTYLES: Fruity or Rich BEERSTYLES: Malty & Sweet; Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy Bee Hive Cheese logoABOUT BEEHIVE CHEESE: In 2005, Tim Welsh and his brother-in-law, Pat Ford, had a vision of opening a creamery in the mountains of Northern Utah. With no more than eight days of cheesemaking experience between the two of them when they first began, the two broke tradition without even realizing it. They enjoyed the freedom to experiment and created their own rules about what artisan cheese could be. With their families by their sides, they built a company grounded in independent thinking, connectedness, and authenticity. They partnered with some of the best cheese researchers and creameries the western U.S. had to offer. Today, Beehive Cheese continues to produce award-winning cheeses that bring family and friends together. Learn more about their story here.

Cheese_springDon’t let your Wine Club go home alone! Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >