Top 14 Local Cow's Milk Cheeses
in Vorarlberg

Dorfsennerei Schlins-Röns und Umgebung is a cooperative cheese producer located in Austria, specifically serving the Schlins and Röns region. The cooperative focuses on producing traditional Austrian cheeses using milk sourced from local dairy farmers. They employ methods that combine both modern and traditional cheese-making techniques to preserve the artisanal quality of their products.Expand

Sennerei Andelsbuch is a traditional cooperative dairy located in the village of Andelsbuch, in the Bregenzerwald region of Austria’s Vorarlberg province, with a long-standing tradition rooted in the collective work of local milk producers. Founded in the early 20th century, it brings together numerous family farms that supply exclusively hay-fed milk, produced without silage, forming the basis of certified Heumilch quality. The milk comes from alpine pastures rich in diverse grasses and herbs, which directly shape the aromatic profile of the cheeses. Sennerei Andelsbuch is especially known for its mountain cheeses such as Bergkäse, Emmentaler, and other long-aged, characterful varieties with pronounced depth and structure. Production combines traditional cheesemaking knowledge with modern quality control, in line with strict regional standards. The dairy is part of the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald initiative, which promotes the preservation of local cheese culture and rural identity. Strong emphasis is placed on sustainability, including energy-efficient production and a responsible approach to natural resources. The facility includes an on-site shop offering direct sales, as well as a vending machine that allows customers to purchase products around the clock. Today, Sennerei Andelsbuch is regarded as a representative example of Alpine cheesemaking tradition, successfully uniting community cooperation, terroir expression, and long-standing artisanal expertise.Expand

Sennerei Schnifis is a cheese production cooperative located in Schnifis, Austria. The cooperative specializes in producing traditional Austrian cheese varieties and focuses on utilizing local milk from surrounding farms.Expand

The Vorarlberger mountain cheese is yet another specialty originating from the Alpine Bregenz Forest which is located in Vorarlberg, Austria’s westernmost province. It is produced using centuries-old methods, made with either whole or skimmed raw cow's milk. The cheese is aged for up to two years. Here on the lush Alpine pastures, the farmers are encouraged to keep the amount of concentrated feed at an absolute minimum, so the animals are almost entirely fed on fresh grass, herbs and hay, which provides both the milk and the Vorarlberger cheese with an intense aroma and quite a tangy flavor. Vorarlberger Bergkäse is an essential ingredient of Käsespätzle, the Austrian take on mac and cheese.Expand

Even though the basis for the production process of Vorarlberger Alpkäse was established during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), its name has been in use only since the 1700s. This Alpine cheese originates from Bregenzerwald, a forested Bregenzer Ach river basin nestled in Voralberg, Austria's westernmost region. Produced only during summer months, Vorarlberger Alpkäse is a hard cheese made from raw milk collected from cows that graze on a variety of herbs and grass on Alpine pastures. During the ripening stage, the cheese wheels are periodically hand-rubbed with salt and aged on pine boards for three to five months. Vorarlberger Alpkäse has a distinctive Alpine milk aroma and a tangy flavor.Expand

Alps Rebel is an Austrian cheese originating from Sulzberg, where it’s produced by Sulzberger Käserebellen Sennerei. The cheese is made from raw milk of cows that feed on a diet of dried hay, grains of corn, and herbs. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is semi-hard, open, and creamy. The aromas are milky, nutty, and fruity, reminiscent of vanilla, roasted chesnuts, and malt, while the flavors are milky, buttery, piquant, and slightly citrusy.Expand

Hay Flower Rebel is an Austrian cheese hailing from Sulzberg, where it’s produced by Sulzberger Käserebellen Sennerei. The cheese is made from raw milk of cows that feed on a diet of dried hay, grains of corn, and herbs. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is semi-hard, firm, and creamy. The aromas are woody and floral, while the flavors are grassy, creamy, and floral, with an aftertaste of honey and young wood. This cheese has won a bronze medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2014.Expand

Lüneberg is an Austrian Alp-style cheese originating from Vorarlberg. The cheese is made from cow's milk with added saffron, giving it a yellowish color and a distinct flavor. The milk is warmed, and the curd is then cut into smaller pieces that are heated while stirring. After the press, the cheeses are turned and taken to a cellar to mature. The rind is salted, rubbed, and washed during the maturation process. Once ripe, Lüneberg is usually described as a cross between Emmental and Limburger. When cut, it is characterized by numerous irregular eyes dispersed throughout its body.Expand

Bregenzerwälder Bergkäse is a hard, alpine cheese produced in the Bregenzerwald region of Vorarlberg, the westernmost province of Austria. It is manufactured exclusively from raw cow’s milk sourced from farms located within this specific mountainous geography. The systemic production of this cheese evolved through a land-use pattern known as Alpine transhumance, where livestock are moved between different altitudes depending on the season. By the eighteenth century, the region transitioned from a focus on flax cultivation and weaving to large-scale dairy farming, necessitated by the high yield of nutritious grasses in the Bregenzerwald mountains. This shift led to the development of specialized alpine dairies, or Sennalpen, situated at high elevations where milk was processed immediately into large wheels to facilitate long-term storage and transportation down the mountain slopes. The preparation of Bregenzerwälder Bergkäse begins with the heating of raw milk in copper vats, to which natural rennet and starter cultures are added to initiate curdling. The resulting curd is cut into grain-sized pieces using a cheese harp and then heated to temperatures between 50 and 54 degrees Celsius, a process that determines the cheese’s final moisture content and texture. Once the curd is separated from the whey, it is pressed into circular molds and subsequently immersed in a brine bath for approximately two days to develop the rind and enhance flavor. The maturation process takes place in specialized cellars with high humidity, lasting anywhere from three to eighteen months or longer. During this time, the rinds are regularly rubbed with salt water. A unique aspect of the production is the strict prohibition of fermented fodder, which ensures the milk has a specific bacterial composition that allows for long aging without the risk of unwanted gas formation. In culinary applications, the cheese is often featured as the primary ingredient in Vorarlberger Kässpätzle, where it is layered with fresh flour dumplings and fried onions. It is also served as a central component of a Brettljause, a selection of cold meats and bread served on a wooden board. The flavor profile, which ranges from mild and nutty in younger wheels to sharp and spicy in older ones, pairs effectively with regional beverages such as dry white wines, particularly Grüner Veltliner, or full-bodied red wines like Blaufränkisch. It is also frequently consumed alongside naturally cloudy apple juice or local craft beers that provide a malty contrast to the saltiness of the aged cheese.Expand

Bachensteiner is a semi-soft, washed-rind cow’s milk cheese from the Bregenzerwald region of Vorarlberg in western Austria. The production of Bachensteiner begins with fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk, which is coagulated and formed into loaves before undergoing a smear-ripening process. During this stage, the surface is regularly washed with brine or treated to encourage the growth of specific bacteria, which give the cheese its reddish-orange rind and distinctive aroma. The loaves are aged for about three weeks, during which the interior develops into a light yellow to white paste that is creamy, silky smooth, and melts effortlessly on the palate. The result is a cheese with a soft, supple texture and a flavor profile that evolves as it matures — from fruity and delicately floral to slightly piquant and gently tart. Subtle notes of biscuit and white bread contribute to its complexity, making it both comforting and refined. Bachensteiner is most commonly served as part of a cheese platter, accompanied by rustic rye or dark bread, pickled onions, or thinly sliced charcuterie. It also pairs beautifully with crisp white wines or light beers, which complement its richness and highlight its layered flavors. In alpine kitchens, it is often melted over boiled potatoes or added to warm dishes, where its creamy texture enhances simple, comforting meals. Expand

Sura Kees is a traditional cheese hailing from the Vorarlberg state, more precisely, the Montafon valley in the Bludenz district. This cheese is unique due to its low-fat content and particular preparation method, which results in a distinctive sour taste (hence, the name which translates to "sour cheese"). Sura Kees is made from skimmed cow's milk, which has had most of its cream (fat) removed. The milk is fermented by adding a special culture of lactic acid bacteria. This process transforms the lactose (milk sugar) into lactic acid, leading to the sour taste characteristic of this cheese. Once the milk has curdled, the curds are cut and stirred to release whey, then formed into a cheese wheel by placing them in a mold and left to age for a short period. The cheese has a crumbly texture and a tangy, slightly acidic taste. It is typically served sliced with a dash of vinegar and oil, sometimes accompanied by onions and fresh herbs. It can be eaten with bread or used as an ingredient in salads, spreads, or traditional Vorarlberger dishes. The sour flavor of Sura Kees is a great counterpoint to richer, heavier ingredients, adding a distinct taste to meals.Expand

Nut Rebel is an Austrian cheese hailing from Sulzberg, where it’s produced by Sulzberger Käserebellen Sennerei. The cheese is made from raw milk of cows that feed on a diet of dried hay, grains of corn, and herbs. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is firm, creamy, and semi-hard. The aromas are pleasant and nutty, while the flavors are smooth, nutty, and sweet, reminiscent of vanilla and gingerbread due to the addition of crunchy walnut pieces to the milk during winter.Expand

Mountain Rebel is an Austrian cheese hailing from Sulzberg, where it’s produced by Sulzberger Käserebellen Sennerei. The cheese is made from raw milk of cows that feed on a diet of dried hay, grains of corn, and herbs. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is semi-hard, creamy, and compact. The aromas are intense and spicy, reminiscent of biscuits, dark chocolate, and malt. The flavors are fruity and creamy, reminiscent of honey, malt, and passion fruit. This cheese has won a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2008.Expand