Greensboro, Vermont

Jasper Hill Farm, the expansive dairy project hatched by brothers Mateo and Andy Kehler, was first established in Greensboro, Vermont, during the summer of 2002. Named for a pioneering dairy farmer from the town of Greensboro, Alpha Tolman is the Kehler Brothers’ latest creation. It is made using traditional Alpine methods of cooking and pressing the curds to achieve a tight, elastic texture and robust, complex flavors. The wheels are washed with a cultured brine to cultivate a rosy orange, mildly funky rind. Young wheels have flavors of milk, fruit and nuts, and a smooth mouthfeel, while older wheels are bold and meaty, with flavors of onion and a rich and crystalline texture.

Flavor notes: fruit, nuts, onion

Pairs with: Lavender Ridge Vineyard Viognier, Roussanne

Kerry Gold, Ireland

Cashel Blue is a semi-soft, creamy Irish farmhouse cheese, distinguished by its round, full flavor and signature tang. Its buttery color is punctuated by characteristic blue veining. Lovingly crafted by the Grubb Family, Cashel Blue Cheese is made on the family farm with milk from grass-fed dairy cows that graze on some of Ireland’s most lush and nutrient rich pastures. Cashel Blue’s robust flavor profile makes it a worthy companion to grilled steak, ripe pears or figs

Flavor notes:

Pairs with: Lavender Ridge Vineyard Petite Sirah, Syrah

Cowgirl Creamery, West Marin, California

Cowgirl Creamery’s winter seasonal cheese, Devil’s Gulch, starts with organic Holstein milk from John and Karen Taylor’s Bivalve Dairy. The rich, bloomy rind wheels are dusted with a mixture of sweet and spicy ground heirloom peppers from Allstar Organics.

Flavor notes: Bright, sweet spice.

Pairs with: Lavender Ridge Vineyard Mourvèdre

Valley Cheese Co., Sonoma, California

Handmade Monterey Jack that is aged one year and coated with cocoa, pepper and vegetable oil. One of the earliest California original cheeses and in same style as Parmigiano Reggiano and can be used in much the same way.

Flavor notes: nutty flavors of Sonoma Holstein milk. Aromas similar to a cheddar, rich and spicy on the palate.

Pairs with: Lavender Ridge Côtes du Calaveras Rouge & Syrah

Can be used as both a grating cheese for cooking as well as a superb table cheese for snacks or desserts.