Cheese to enhance the qualities of the locally available produce, wine, breads and meats
The intention of Valley Ford Cheese is to produce an aged artisan cheese that would maximally enhance the qualities of the locally available produce, wine, breads and meats.
Estero Gold, our premier product, is an Italian farmstead cheese from our own superb Jersey cows, handmade in the style of an Asiago, reminiscent of a Montasio, two of the famous cheeses from the Swiss-Italian dairy country. A young cheese, at about four months aged, is very pliable, with grassy, fruity overtones. As it continues to age, the flavor deepens, becoming complex and nutty.
It has an open texture with small holes and straw-like coloring. Its subtle, creamy and buttery taste nicely complements other foods. Its fine rustic flavor can be paired with any wine. We can’t think of a better tasting snack than a piece of Estero Gold with a ripe pear. It also melts wonderfully in pastas and polentas, or try it shredded on a salad.
Highway One
Highway One is a version of an old style Fontina. Its texture is silky and creamy, with the traditional Fontina flavor that pairs so ultimately with Italian wines and cuisine. This unpasteurized cheese has been aged for at least 80 days. It is mildly fruity, with a nutty flavor and aroma. Highway 1, with a blue label, is another farmstead product from our closed herd of Jerseys in Valley Ford. It is a perfect anytime cheese. It was awarded a bronze medal at the California State Fair, and the double gold at Sonoma Harvest Fair.
