Quesos El Pastor
Queso Castellano IGP San Ruffino
Sheep's Milks
Queso Oveja Curado IGP Queso Castellano San Ruffino by Quesos El Pastor is a traditional Castilian aged cheese made from raw sheep’s milk, known for its long maturation and pronounced character. It is typically aged for 12 to 18 months, during which it develops a firm, compact, and slightly crumbly texture, characteristic of well-aged sheep’s milk cheeses.
The aroma is intense and direct, with a strong ovine profile, while the flavor reveals layered milky notes, nutty nuances, and a gradual sharpness that becomes more pronounced over time. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied structure and a long, persistent finish, with a clear sense of depth and maturity.
The rind is hard and darker in color (non-edible), protecting a dense and uniform interior with minimal openings.
Producer
Quesos El Pastor is a Spanish cheese producer based in Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa, founded in 1967 as a small family dairy and developed into a large-scale operation with a strong focus on quality and diversification. The company was established by the Lorenzo brothers and is now managed by the second generation, maintaining continuity while expanding technologically and commercially.
Its portfolio includes a wide range of cheeses - from fresh and soft to semi-hard and aged - produced from sheep’s, goat’s, and cow’s milk, as well as mixed-milk varieties tailored to different markets. A defining feature of El Pastor is the combination of traditional cheesemaking knowledge with modern industrial processes, supported by continuous investment in production facilities, including lines for pressed cheeses, blue cheeses, and fermented products.
The company places strong emphasis on raw material quality and has adapted its range to contemporary consumer demands, including lactose-free options. Today, Quesos El Pastor exports to more than 80 countries, positioning itself as a significant global representative of Spanish cheesemaking.