Top 4 Minnesotan Sheep's Milk Cheeses

Shepherd’s Way Farms is an award-winning farmstead creamery located in Nerstrand, Minnesota, specializing in the production of sheep’s milk cheeses. Their family-run farmstead approach allows them to develop cheeses that reflect a specific "terroir" – a unique flavor that arises from the particular grazing conditions and natural environment. Their cheese lineup includes products such as Friesago, a semi-hard and semi-aged cheese with a natural rind and mild, nutty flavor; Shepherd’s Hope, a mild fresh cheese with subtle citrus notes; Big Woods Blue, a creamy blue cheese with complex, spiced flavors; and Sogn, a semi-hard tomme-style cheese with rich, fatty sheep’s milk and notes of green olives and bay leaves. In addition to cheeses, Shepherd’s Way Farms also offers other products such as milk, lamb, wool, and wool-based items.Expand

Shepherd's Hope is an American cheese hailing from Nerstrand, Minnesota, where it's produced by Shepherd's Way Farms. The cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk (plain version) and it's based on queso fresco. There's also a version with garlic and herbs. The texture of this fresh, rindless cheese is semi-soft, creamy, and firm. The aromas are fresh, herbaceous, and intense, while the flavors are milky, mild, and garlicky, with citrusy notes at the finish. It's recommended to serve Shepherd's Hope with a baguette or use it on pizza and in sandwiches. Pair it with a glass of crisp Chardonnay.Expand

Big Woods Blue is an American cheese produced by Shepherd's Way Farms in Minnesota. This blue cheese made from sheep's milk has a natural rind, and underneath it, there is a firm, ivory-colored body speckled with blue-green veins. The aroma is sweet, while the flavors are spicy, tangy, peppery, sharp, and robust. However, the richness of the sheep's milk balances the intense flavors. It's recommended to pair the cheese with Port or Sauternes.Expand

Friesago is an American cheese produced in Minnesota by Shepherd's Way Farms. The cheese is made from sheep's milk. It has a natural rind, and underneath it, the texture is firm, dense, and grainy. The aromas are pleasantly mild, while the flavors are nutty, milky, grassy, tangy, and piquant. Friesago is made in the style of Asiago, and originally it was waxed, unlike today. It's recommended to serve it on a cheeseboard with fig spread. Friesago can also be used on pizza as it melts well, or perhaps in a grilled cheese sandwich. Pair it with bright Italian reds or a glass of wheat beer.Expand

Morcella is an American cheese hailing from Minnesota. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and it's speckled with local morel mushrooms. Made only with spring and summer milk and available in September, this soft-ripened cheese is distinguished by its creamy texture and strong aromas. The mottled bloomy rind hides the creamy, tender, and earthy flavors of the paste. This unique cheese is produced by Shepherd's Way Farms. Due to the fact that Morcella is easily overwhelmed by strong flavors, it's recommended to serve it simply with crusty bread.Expand