Shelburne Farms Named to Food & Wine’s “25 Essential American Cheeses to Try Right Now”
Shelburne Farms is proud to share that its 2-Year Cheddar has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of the “25 Essential American Cheeses to Try Right Now,” a national list celebrating the very best of artisan cheesemaking across the country.
Described by Food & Wine as “the gold standard for sharp block Cheddar,” Shelburne Farms’ 2-Year Cheddar stood out for its bright, complex flavor and deep connection to place. Made from the milk of Brown Swiss cows that graze Champlain Valley pastures, the cheese reflects both the richness of Vermont’s agricultural landscape and a longstanding commitment to craftsmanship.
“This recognition is an honor, and it speaks to the care our dairy and cheese teams bring to their work every day,” said Eric Patterson, Shelburne Farms Cheese and Catalog Manager. “From pasture to aging room, every step of our cheesemaking process is rooted in stewardship, quality, and a deep respect for the land.”
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit with a mission to cultivate and inspire learning for a sustainable future. Its farm-based education programs reach thousands of students, educators, and visitors each year, connecting people to the land, food systems, and each other. The dairy and cheesemaking operation plays a central role in that mission, an example of regenerative agriculture in action. Seasonally, the farm offers Sun to Cheese tours, a behind-the-scenes look at the dairy and cheesemaking.
The farm’s farmstead cheddar is made using traditional methods, with milk sourced exclusively from its own herd. Cows are pasture-raised during the grazing season, supporting both animal welfare and soil health. The cheddar is carefully aged to develop the signature texture and flavor that have made Shelburne Farms cheese a staple in kitchens and cheese shops nationwide.
Shelburne Farms is in good company on the Food & Wine list, alongside several other standout Vermont cheesemakers, including Jasper Hill Farm, Parish Hill Creamery, and Vermont Shepherd. Notably, Vermont cheeses made up 20% of the entire list, underscoring the state’s outsized influence in the American artisan cheese movement and its reputation for exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
The full Food & Wine list, authored by cheese expert Tenaya Darlington (Madame Fromage), shows the remarkable evolution of American cheese over the past several decades, with small-batch, farmstead producers leading the way.
About Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit working to inspire and cultivate a sustainable future. It offers transformative learning experiences to help educators, students, and visitors create a more thriving world. Shelburne Farms realizes its education mission through programs focused on education for sustainability, by using its working farm as a living classroom, and through products made with regenerative agricultural practices. Home to the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools, the historic campus is a 1,400-acre diversified farm located in Vermont on the homelands of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki. For guests and learners wishing to stay at Shelburne Farms, the organization also offers overnight accommodations. www.shelburnefarms.org. Photos available upon request.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Davis 802-598-7155 edavis@boardmandavis.com
