Henri Willig

Henri Willig is a Dutch family-owned cheese manufacturer founded in 1974, specializing in the production of premium Gouda-style cheeses and related dairy specialties. Based in the Netherlands, the company has built a reputation for artisanal craftsmanship, producing, packaging, and distributing its full range of cheeses entirely in-house since its founding. Henri Willig operates more than 30 retail locations, including cheese farms, cheese farm stores, and gift shops under the 'Cheese & More by Henri Willig' banner, collectively attracting over one million domestic and international visitors annually.

The company's product portfolio centers on cow's milk Gouda-style cheeses crafted in the traditional Dutch artisanal manner. Offerings range from classic aged wheels to flavored specialty varieties, such as the limited-edition 'Vierseizoenenpeper,' a creamy young Gouda infused with a blend of four-season peppers. Additional product lines include herb and garlic cheeses, Hüttenkäse (fresh curd cheese), and curated gift assortments designed for retail and direct-to-consumer gifting. All products undergo strict quality control before reaching retail channels.

Henri Willig serves both retail and foodservice markets, with a strong direct-to-consumer component through its proprietary webshop, which ships to more than 50 countries worldwide. The brand has a significant international footprint, positioning its cheeses as premium gift items as well as everyday table and charcuterie board staples.

The company's cheeses have earned consistent international recognition, with award wins at prestigious competitions including the World Championship Cheese Contest (USA, 2024), World Cheese Awards (Norway, 2023; 2022; UK, 2015), Nantwich Cheese Awards (UK, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019), DLG Awards (Germany, 2021), and Kaesiade Tirol (Austria, 2014). This track record of competitive accolades underscores the company's commitment to consistent quality and product innovation within the specialty cheese category.

As a vertically integrated producer, Henri Willig manages the full value chain from cheese making to retail, giving it strong control over product quality, branding, and customer experience. The combination of heritage craftsmanship, award-winning recipes, broad international distribution, and a robust direct-to-consumer and tourism-driven retail model positions Henri Willig as a leading premium cheese brand in the European and global specialty dairy market.