Randy Chandler
Wisconsin is known for its cheese, and there are plenty of places to find fresh cheese in the state. From historic cheese factories to small, family-owned shops, there are many options to choose from. You can even find cheese shops that offer tours of their facilities, so you can see how the cheese is made and try some samples. If you're looking for a specific type of cheese, like string cheese or cheddar cheese curds, there are shops that specialise in those varieties. You can also find Wisconsin cheese online or at retail stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Chilton, Wisconsin |
| Factory Store | Menomonie |
| Cheese Types | Smoked, String, Cheddar, Nordic Creamery, Jim's Cheese, Pine River, MontAmore, Sartori, Bucky Badger, Vern's String Cheese, Vern's Cheddar Cheese, White Cheddar Cheese Curds, Faarko, Donatello |
| Other Products | Cured meats, craft beers and wines, specialty sodas, baking mixes, prepared foods, sauces, spice mixes, chocolate candies |
| Factory Tour | Union Star, near Appleton |
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$34.95
What You'll Learn
Historic cheese shops
Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, and there are many historic cheese shops and factories to visit. For the ultimate cheese-making tour experience, head to Union Star near Appleton, where you can walk through the tiny factory to learn how milk from local dairies becomes squeaky cheese curds. Ellsworth is another must-visit destination for cheese lovers, known as the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin". Here, you can visit the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, famous for its classic white cheddar cheese curds, as well as fun flavours like taco, garlic and ranch.
For a taste of Wisconsin's cheese-making tradition, you can also visit one of the six small and family-owned cheese shops that have been showcasing the state's distinctive dairy for a century or more. These shops offer tours, tastings, and the opportunity to watch cheese curds being made and chat with real cheesemakers. Be sure to visit early in the morning for the freshest samples and wear closed-toed shoes for the factory tours.
If you're looking for a specific type of cheese, Wisconsin has a wide variety to offer. Vern's Cheese in Chilton has been delivering Wisconsin-made goods since 1964, including cheeses, cured meats, craft beers and wines. Westby Cooperative Creamery offers a range of Wisconsin cheeses, from Nordic Creamery to Jim's Cheese, Pine River to MontAmore, Sartori to Bucky Badger, and more.
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Cheese factories
Wisconsin is known for its cheese-making tradition, and there are several cheese factories in the state that offer tours and tastings. Here are some of the best cheese factories to visit in Wisconsin:
Union Star
Located near Appleton, Union Star offers a unique cheese-making tour experience. Visitors can walk through the small factory to learn how milk from local dairies is transformed into squeaky cheese curds.
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery
Ellsworth is known as the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin" and hosts an annual Cheese Curd Festival. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is famous for its classic white cheddar cheese curds, as well as fun flavours like taco, garlic, and ranch.
Cedar Grove
Cedar Grove offers tours that focus on their organic, hormone-free cheese-making process and their commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Visitors can try award-winning artisan cheeses like the Faarko, a semi-soft mix of cow's and goat's milk, and the Donatello, a rich cheese made from goat's milk.
Vern's Cheese
Located in the heart of America's Dairyland in Chilton, Wisconsin, Vern's Cheese has been delivering fine Wisconsin-made goods since 1964. In addition to a variety of cheeses, they offer cured meats, craft beers and wines, specialty sodas, baking mixes, prepared foods, sauces, spice mixes, and chocolate candies.
Whether you're looking for a behind-the-scenes look at the cheese-making process or simply want to sample some of the state's best cheeses, these cheese factories in Wisconsin are sure to offer a delightful experience.
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Online cheese shops
If you're looking to buy Wisconsin cheese online, there are a few options. Westby Cooperative Creamery offers a range of Wisconsin-made cheeses, from Nordic Creamery to Jim's Cheese. They ship outside of Wisconsin and Minnesota from April to October, but you'll need to purchase a cooler box and ice packs to keep your cheese fresh. Vern's Cheese is another option, offering Wisconsin-made goods since 1964. You can find their retail store in Chilton, Wisconsin, or buy their products online. They offer a range of items, including cheeses, cured meats, craft beers and wines, and specialty sodas.
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Cheese curd shops
Wisconsin is known for its cheese, and there are plenty of shops where you can find fresh cheese curds.
Ellsworth is considered the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin" and hosts an annual Cheese Curd Festival. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is famous for its classic white cheddar cheese curds, but you can also find other fun flavours like taco, garlic and ranch.
Union Star, near Appleton, offers tours of its tiny factory, where you can learn how milk from local dairies becomes squeaky cheese curds.
There are also several historic cheese shops in Wisconsin that have been showcasing the state's distinctive dairy for a century or more. These small, family-owned businesses offer tours, tastings and the chance to watch cheese curds being made.
If you're looking to buy Wisconsin cheese online, Westby Cooperative Creamery offers a range of options, from Nordic Creamery to Jim's Cheese. Vern's Cheese, located in Chilton, also offers Wisconsin-made goods, including cheeses, cured meats, craft beers and wines.
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Retail stores
If you're looking to buy fresh cheese in Wisconsin, there are plenty of retail stores to choose from. Vern's Cheese in Chilton, Wisconsin, is a retail store located in the heart of America's Dairyland. They offer a wide range of Wisconsin-made goods, including cheeses, cured meats, craft beers, wines, and more.
Another option is Westby Cooperative Creamery, which offers a variety of Wisconsin cheeses such as Nordic Creamery, Jim's Cheese, Pine River, and MontAmore. They ship their products, but note that if you're outside of Wisconsin or Minnesota from April to October, you'll need to purchase a cooler box to keep your cheese fresh.
For a historic cheese-making experience, you can visit Union Star near Appleton. Here, you can take a tour of their tiny factory and learn how milk from local dairies is transformed into squeaky cheese curds. Ellsworth is also known as the "Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin," and the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is famous for its classic white cheddar cheese curds, as well as fun flavours like taco, garlic, and ranch.
If you're looking for a factory store experience, you can check out the new location in Menomonie, which offers deep-fried cheese curds, local wines, beers, desserts, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many places to find fresh cheese in Wisconsin, including historic cheese shops and factories, such as Union Star near Appleton, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, and Vern's Cheese in Chilton.
Yes, you can buy fresh cheese online from Westby Cooperative Creamery, which offers a range of Wisconsin-made cheeses, including Nordic Creamery, Jim's Cheese, and Sartori.
Yes, there are several cheese factories in Wisconsin that offer tours, such as Union Star near Appleton, which offers a walk-through of its tiny factory to see how milk becomes cheese curds, and Cedar Grove, which offers tours of its organic, hormone-free cheese-making process.
Some unique cheese varieties you can find in Wisconsin include Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery's classic white cheddar cheese curds, as well as fun flavours like taco, garlic, and ranch. You can also find award-winning artisan cheeses like the Faarko (a semi-soft mix of cow's and goat's milk) and the Donatello (a rich cheese made from goat's milk).
Yes, many cheese shops in Wisconsin offer a variety of dairy products beyond just cheese. For example, Vern's Cheese in Chilton offers cured meats, craft beers, wines, specialty sodas, and more.
