Related Resources • Preparing a Cheese Board • Review of the Cheese Lover's Cookbook and Guide

Elsewhere on the Web • Old Chatham Sheepherding Company

Country and Region of Origin: Hudson River Valley, New York, U.S.

Type of Cheese: This dairy produces handcrafted sheep's milk cheeses and yogurts. Cheeses include three types of camembert, Ewe's Blue, Shepherd's Wheel, Peppered Pyramid, Mutton Buttons, fresh sheep's milk cheese, and fresh ricotta.

Texture: Semi-soft and soft.

Rind: The Shepherd's Wheel has an edible, white rind.

Tasting Notes: Most of the cheeses have a mellow, creamy flavor. The blue is a creamy cheese with blue accent flavors, comparable to find French Roqueforts. The Shepherd's Wheel is a mild, earthy cheese with a nutty finish. The Mutton Buttons have a denser, earthier flavor. The fresh, sheep's milk cheese has a slight tang to it, and also comes in a variety with fresh garlic and herbs.

Other Comments: Sheep's milk cheeses are only finding an audience in the U.S. in recent years. Made for centuries in the Basque region of France, American's are finally appreciating the earthy flavors and health benefits of this cheese. Old Chatham Sheepherding Company was founded in upstate New York in 1994 with only 150 sheep. Since then the flock has expanded to 1200 sheep and the dairy has gone on to win numerous awards for its handcrafted cheeses. 

Serving Suggestions: These cheeses are beautiful served on a cheese board with crackers or fruit. The camemberts make terrific appetizers when wrapped and baked in phyllo.  The ricotta cheese makes an excellent addition to recipes, as does the fresh sheep's milk cheese.