The Wisconsin Whey: Cheesemaking in the Driftless

When you think of Wisconsin, cheese likely comes to mind. As the nation's top cheese producer, Wisconsin accounts for 25 percent of U.S. cheese, with nearly 1,200 cheesemakers crafting more than 600 varieties. The Driftless Area, untouched by glaciers, is home to many of the nation's finest cheesemakers, whose award-winning creations stem from the region's exceptional milk.

In this new book, Mineral Point residents Nicole Bujewski, Keith Burrows, Leslie Damaso, and Kristin Mitchell showcase 12 Driftless cheesemakers, featuring photography by Paul Strabbing and stories by Judy Newman Coburn. The cheesemakers highlighted are from Bleu Mont Dairy, Brunkow Cheese, Capri Cheese, Carr Valley Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Hidden Springs Creamery, Hook's Cheese, Landmark Creamery, Roelli Cheese Haus, Nordic Creamery, Schroeder Käse, and Uplands Cheese. These artisans span generations and backgrounds.

They embody craftsmanship, innovation, and camaraderie, making Wisconsin's cheese culture truly unique. Enjoy their inspiring stories and, of course, their exceptional cheeses!