New Jersey Artisan Cheeses: Where to Find Award-Winning Local Flavors
New Jersey Artisan Cheeses: Where to Find Award-Winning Local Flavors
Just beyond the Manhattan skyline, New Jersey is quietly curating some of the country’s most exciting cheeses. From award-winning raw milk wonders to bright, tangy goat cheeses, the Garden State is shaping up to be a must-visit stop for cheese lovers—no passport required.
Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse: A Model of Regeneration
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when regenerative farming meets artisanal cheese, Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse in Milford, NJ, has the answer. Founded by Jonathan and Nina White in 2002 on leased land, the couple set out to prove that small-scale, sustainable farming could thrive in the Northeast. By 2010, after purchasing their current property, they had transformed what was once barren, erosion-prone farmland into lush pastures—doubling soil organic matter in just ten years.
Today, Bobolink produces 100% grass-fed, raw cow’s milk cheeses from their herd of mixed-breed Bobolink Grazers. Seasonal offerings range from soft-ripened Amram to bold, crumbly Jean Louis, but the real showstopper is Drumm, a bright, grassy, tangy original that recently earned a supergold award at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Bern, Switzerland. It’s made with native cultures and long fermentation to fully express the flavors of the farm’s pasture. Trust us: if you want to taste it this year, now’s the moment to reserve.
Beyond cheese, the farm’s Bakehouse and ethically raised meats reflect the Whites’ dedication to local sourcing and zero preservatives. Between Celtic band gatherings, ice cream treats, and bakery goods, Bobolink has become both a culinary and community hub.
369 Stamets Rd., Milford, NJ 08848
cowsoutside.com
Gorgeous Goat Creamery: Goat Cheese with Heart
Stockton’s Gorgeous Goat Creamery started “by accident,” when Maria Stewart and her husband, Matt Kriegler, bought four goats to clear invasive species on their 17-acre hardwood farm. That small herd quickly grew into a full-fledged artisanal operation.
Kriegler handles the cheese, Stewart manages the goats, and together they craft small-batch cheeses that reflect both care and creativity. Fresh chèvre offers a citrusy spreadable hit for bagels and crackers, their feta is briny and bold, and their probiotic-rich goat yogurt doubles as a tangy salad dressing base. Everything is pasteurized, and Stewart promises to know each goat by name—no numbered livestock here.
71 Featherbed Ln., Stockton, NJ 08559
gorgeousgoat.com
Cherry Grove Farm: Farmstead Innovation
Lawrenceville’s Cherry Grove Farm blends tradition with experimentation. Owner Oliver Hamill consolidated 200 acres of family land in 2002, prioritizing rotational grazing and regenerative practices. The farm’s Jersey-heavy herd, complemented by Friesian, Milking Shorthorn, and Dutch Belted cows, supports a robust farmstead cheese program.
Cherry Grove’s caves yield creative wheels like Toma, a semi-soft washed-rind with yogurt and lemon zest notes, and Trilby, wrapped in applejack-soaked fig leaves and washed with rye whiskey. Abruzze Jawn, a pepper-forward creation, has been dubbed “pepperoni for vegetarians.” Visitors can also sample farmstead cheeses, grass-fed beef, whey-fed pork, pastured eggs, and other local goodies at the on-site shop.
3200 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
cherrygrovefarm.com
Jersey Artisan Co.: Italian Classics, Jersey Style
In East Hanover, Jersey Artisan Co. brings southern Italian traditions to New Jersey soil. Founder Salvatore Pisani, inspired by his family roots, transforms fresh Jersey cow’s milk into mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, and scamorza. The farm-fresh milk comes from Spring Run Dairy, a family-run operation in Pittstown, ensuring each batch is high-butterfat and full of flavor.
Pisani also produces fresh pasta and naturally leavened bread, sold at his retail shop and farmers’ markets across the state. It’s a true labor of love: Italian technique, New Jersey ingredients, and a mission to share seasonal, local goodness with every bite.
16 Littell Rd., #4B, East Hanover, NJ 07936
jerseyartisan.com
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