The makers who meet
the Standard.
Fourteen Wisconsin cheese curd makers, all currently licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. All verified against the six-pillar Standard. All accountable to a real public, in a real place, with a real make sheet bearing a real cheesemaker's name.
Wisconsin has roughly 1,200 currently licensed cheesemakers and several hundred operating creameries. Not all of them make cheese curds. Not all of those who do meet our Standard. The directory below is the working list of those who do. Each maker has been verified individually by the editorial board against the six pillars. Each carries the Real Wisconsin Cheese Curd badge on their packaging and website.
The tier system below reflects the depth of credentials and operational continuity, not the quality of the cheese. A Recognized-tier maker can produce cheese that is fully as good as a Master-tier maker; the difference is in the breadth of accreditation, not in the daily output. Tier promotions are reviewed annually.
Master tier.
Operations led by Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers with the longest operational continuity and the deepest curd-specific credentials. Master Cheesemaker certification requires 10+ years of licensed experience, a three-year structured education program, a 40-hour examination, and a documented production audit.
Heritage tier.
Operations with substantial historical continuity (typically 75+ years), led by licensed Wisconsin cheesemakers, with a sustained track record of curd production at scale. Several Heritage makers are led by Master Cheesemakers and may be promoted to Master tier in future reviews.
Gardner's Wisconsin Cheese
Marshfield, WI · Founded 1985
Built for mail order. Curds cut Tuesday, packed Tuesday, shipping by Wednesday. Make date on every bag. Free shipping over $69. Editorial partner.
Widmer's Cheese Cellars
Theresa, WI · Founded 1922
The only real brick cheese maker in America, third-generation Master Cheesemaker Joe Widmer. Curds plus the brick that built the operation.
Cedar Grove Cheese
Plain, WI · Founded 1878
148 years operating, longest continuous in Plain. Master Cheesemaker Bob Wills. Hosts Wisconsin's de facto artisan-cheese incubator program.
Carr Valley Cheese
La Valle, WI · Founded 1902
850+ awards, the most of any cheesemaker in North America. Sid Cook, 4th-generation Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker. Multi-category certification.
Springside Cheese
Oconto Falls, WI · Founded 1908
Hintz family, 4th generation since 1973. 118 years in Oconto Falls. Award-winning bandaged cheddar program informs the curd quality.
Roelli Cheese Haus
Shullsburg, WI · Founded 1925
Chris Roelli, Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker in cheddar, blue, and alpine categories. ACS Best in Show 2016 (Little Mountain). Top 20 awards 2022.
Henning's Wisconsin Cheese
Kiel, WI · Founded 1914
Fourth-generation family operation. Famous for record-size cheese wheels (12,000+ lb cheddar). One of the longest-continuing family-owned creameries in Wisconsin.
Recognized tier.
Operations that meet the six pillars and have been verified by the editorial board. Recognized makers include several that are likely to be promoted to higher tiers as the directory expands and the review process matures.
Burnett Dairy Cooperative
Alpha, WI · Founded 1896
130-year farmer co-op. Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker on staff. World Champion in string cheese (1988). Named-cheesemaker bag provenance.
Chalet Cheese Cooperative
Monroe, WI · Founded 1885
The only remaining Limburger maker in the United States. Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Jamie Fahrney. Historic Green County operation.
Renard's Cheese
Algoma, WI · Founded 1961
The only Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker in Door County. Chris Renard, certified 2014. Door County provenance with national shipping.
Marieke Gouda
Thorp, WI · Founded 2006
Marieke Penterman, the fourth woman ever certified Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker (2024). Specialty gouda producer with curd-adjacent product line.
Decatur Dairy
Brodhead, WI · Founded 1946
Steve Stettler, Wisconsin's ONLY Master Cheesemaker certified in cheese curds. World Championship Best of Class for curds 2022 AND 2024. Seven Master categories.
Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
Waterloo, WI · Founded 2001
True farmstead operation (own dairy since 1980). Four brothers + next generation. Fresh mozzarella flagship plus cheddar curds.
Want to be recognized?
If you are a Wisconsin licensed cheesemaker producing cheese curd that meets the six pillars, we want to hear from you. Recognition is editorially issued, not paid for. The application process involves a documented review by our editorial board.
Apply for the badge →