Top 7 Northeastern American Sheep's Milk Cheeses

The Farm at Doe Run is an award-winning creamery located in Coatesville, Chester County, in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2008 by Richard Hayne, the founder of Urban Outfitters, with the goal of creating a local farm that produces high-quality cheeses and provides jobs for the community. Today, the farm is run by a team of experienced cheesemakers, including Olivia Haver, a former member of the Jasper Hill team, who, together with colleagues from Vermont, has taken the lead in cheese production and affinage. The farm exclusively raises grass-fed Jersey and Normande cows, East Friesian sheep, and Saanen and Nubian goats. This biodiversity allows for the production of a wide range of cheeses, from soft and creamy to aged and textured. All cheeses are handcrafted using the farmstead method, meaning that only milk from the farm is used, without any ingredients sourced externally.Expand

Grafton Village Cheese is a renowned cheese producer from Vermont with a tradition spanning over a century. Founded as a cooperative of local farms in 1892, the company was revived in the 1960s under the Windham Foundation, aiming to support family farming and the local community. Today, Grafton Village Cheese produces handcrafted cheddar cheeses from unpasteurized milk sourced from small farms, including classic and cave-aged varieties such as Clothbound Cheddar, Shepsog, and Bear Hill, often enhanced with truffle, maple smoke, or spices. Their cheeses are aged up to three years, developing a rich and complex flavor. Grafton Village Cheese has received multiple national and international awards, confirming its status as a top American producer, while continuing to uphold tradition and commitment to high-quality cheese-making.Expand

Nettle Meadow is a family-owned creamery located in the Adirondack region of northern New York, proud of producing more than 40 award-winning cheeses. Their most famous product is Kunik, a unique triple-cream cheese made from 75% goat’s milk and 25% rich cow’s cream, featuring an edible white rind and a rich, creamy flavor. The creamery is known for its sustainable practices and dedication to animal welfare, as proceeds from cheese sales support their Kemp Animal Sanctuary — a refuge for animals that have been rescued or are at risk of slaughter. Their commitment to quality and innovation in cheesemaking has made Nettle Meadow one of the most respected producers in the United States.Expand

Murray's Cheese, based in New York City, is a prominent gourmet cheese and specialty foods retailer and wholesaler, with a rich history dating back to its founding in Greenwich Village in 1962. Known for its wide selection of cheeses from around the globe, Murray's operates not only a flagship store but also a restaurant and cheese bar in New York. They are notable for their state-of-the-art cheese caves in Long Island City where they age their own cheese. In 2017, Murray's became part of the Kroger Company, expanding its reach nationwide through over a thousand Kroger stores. Murray's is also committed to community involvement, supporting local charities and educational initiatives related to food and wellness.Expand

Old Chatham Creamery specializes in making artisanal cheeses and sheep's milk products. They are known for their sheep's milk cheeses, yogurt, and other dairy products that adhere to high-quality standards. Their offerings include an award-winning range of products that reflect traditional cheese-making methods combined with modern innovation.Expand

Valley Shepherd Creamery, located in Long Valley, New Jersey, is a farmstead cheese producer that has been operating since 2005. The creamery spans over 120 acres and produces a variety of sheep, cow, and goat cheeses using traditional European methods. They offer a range of aged and fresh cheeses, crafted from the milk of animals raised directly on their farm. Valley Shepherd Creamery also features a cheesemaking facility with a viewing room where visitors can observe the cheesemaking process.Expand

Goot Essa is a family farm and producer of premium cheeses from Pennsylvania (USA), known for combining traditional Amish methods with top-tier craftsmanship in dairy production. Their philosophy is based on hand processing and carefully controlled production, where each cheese is made from the milk of local cows, goats, and sheep that graze on natural pastures. They place special emphasis on authenticity and sustainability, which makes their products stand out for their rich taste, natural ingredients, and high quality. Goot Essa’s offering includes a wide range of hard and soft cheeses, often inspired by European styles but adapted to local heritage and taste. Their products are distinguished by a recognizable character and complex aromas, and they are often paired with homemade jams, jellies, and spreads that the farm also produces. Thanks to their dedication to detail and family-oriented approach, Goot Essa has earned a reputation as a trusted producer that provides cheese lovers with an authentic experience and true artisanal quality.Expand

Waldo Smog is an American heat-treated cheese made from cow's milk. It contains a layer of ash, making it visually similar to Cypress Grove's goat's milk cheese Humboldt Fog, but with the rich and buttery flavor coming from cow's milk. The cheese is produced by Fuzzy Udder Creamery in Maine. Waldo Smog ripens from the outside, resulting in a cheese that's surrounded by a pungent, slightly runny shell. It is recommended to pair it with quince poached in white wine with vanilla, sugar, orange zest, and cardamom.Expand

Shaker Blue is an American cheese hailing from New York, where it's produced by Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. This rindless blue cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. The texture is creamy, semi-firm, and moist, with blue-grey veins dispersed throughout the body. The aromas are sweet and rich, while the flavors are full, sweet, creamy, and acidic, with a slightly sweet lingering aftertaste. It's recommended to serve Shaker Blue with apples, pears, honey, and dried fruit.Expand

Bear Hill is an American cheese hailing from Vermont. This semi-hard alpine-style cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. After 7 to 8 months of aging, the texture underneath its washed rind becomes smooth. The flavors are complex - mild, nutty, milky, sweet, and nutty, with fruity hints and a savory finish without barnyardy aromas. It's recommended to pair Bear Hill with a glass of Pinot Blanc or Riesling.Expand