Carr Valley Cheese Company, Inc.

Carr Valley Cheese is a century-old, family-owned artisan cheese company headquartered in central Wisconsin, founded in 1902 and currently owned and operated by the Cook family. The company is led by Certified Master Cheesemaker Sid Cook, a fourth-generation cheesemaker who holds more top national and international awards than any other cheesemaker in North America. Sid received his cheesemaking license at age 16 and today owns and operates four cheese plants and eight retail cheese stores throughout Wisconsin, making Carr Valley one of the most prominent traditional cheese producers in the state.

The company is best known for producing high-quality, artisanal aged Cheddars, but its portfolio has expanded significantly over the decades. Carr Valley now produces more than 50 original cheese varieties, utilizing cow, goat, and sheep milks to craft a diverse and distinctive lineup. Notable products include the award-winning Snow White Goat Cheddar, which won 1st place Best of Show at the 2008 American Cheese Society Competition, as well as unique offerings such as Cocoa Cardona. The breadth of its cheese catalog — from classic Aged Cheddar to inventive original varieties — reflects the company's commitment to both tradition and innovation in cheesemaking.

Carr Valley sources its milk exclusively from small, local Wisconsin farms with which it has maintained long-standing generational relationships. The company places significant emphasis on milk quality, operating under the philosophy that high-quality cheese can only be produced from high-quality milk. Wisconsin's distinctive terroir, where animals graze freely on a diverse range of native plants and grasses, contributes to the complex and layered flavor profiles that characterize Carr Valley's cheeses.

All cheeses are crafted by hand using traditional, old-fashioned methods — a deliberate choice that distinguishes the company from large-scale industrial producers. This handcrafted approach, combined with the use of multi-species milks and regionally sourced ingredients, positions Carr Valley firmly within the premium artisan cheese segment. The company serves both direct-to-consumer retail channels through its Wisconsin cheese stores and broader wholesale and specialty food markets. Its consistent recognition at national and international competitions underscores its reputation as a leader in American artisan cheesemaking.