We’ve spent enough time in fancy creameries and industrial facilities to appreciate what happens when cheesemaking isn’t driven by quarterly profits or shelf-life requirements. The Amish approach is refreshingly straightforward: good milk, traditional methods, and the kind of patience that’s increasingly rare in food production. There’s no marketing department deciding when a cheese is ready—just a cheesemaker who’s been doing this for many years, tasting and deciding based on experience rather than schedules.
At Goot Essa, the Amish approach to cheesemaking embodies their core values of craftsmanship, patience, and respect for natural processes. Without the rush of modern production schedules, these artisans allow their cheeses to develop slowly, creating complex flavors that reflect both their heritage and the pristine pastures where their animals graze. You’ll taste the difference on your first bite.
Here are some delicious options well worth sampling. We also included wine pairings that bring out the best characters of Goot Essa’s cheeses.
Seven Exceptional Cheese Varieties
Felsa Yehr Sheep Manchego Style
This sheep’s milk cheese draws inspiration from Spain’s renowned Manchego while incorporating Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. TAged for 18 months, it develops a firm texture with a complex, nutty flavor and subtle tang characteristic of sheep’s milk. The natural rind bears the distinctive crosshatch pattern pressed during formation.
Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied Tempranillo or aged Rioja complements the cheese’s nutty complexity, while the wine’s moderate tannins don’t overpower the delicate sheep’s milk character.
Der Gouda Goat Milk Gouda Style
Traditional Dutch techniques meet local innovation in this goat’s milk interpretation of classic Gouda. “Der Gouda” ages for 3-5 months, developing crystalline texture and a sweet, caramel-like finish balanced by goat milk’s natural tartness. The golden interior reflects the rich pastures where the goats roam freely.
Wine Pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay provides bright acidity that cuts through the cheese’s richness while complementing its subtle herbal notes. For red wine lovers, a light Pinot Noir works beautifully.
Butta Schaf Sheep Milk Pecorino Style
Inspired by Italian Pecorino but crafted with Pennsylvania sheep’s milk, “Butta Schaf” (buttery sheep) lives up to its name with an incredibly rich, buttery texture. Aged 10-12 months, it maintains more moisture than traditional Pecorino, creating a creamy mouthfeel with a pleasant nutty finish.
Wine Pairing: A full-bodied white like Viognier or white Rhône blend matches the cheese’s richness, while a medium-bodied red such as Sangiovese echoes its Italian inspiration.
Mountain Valley Sharp Cheddar
This traditional sharp cheddar represents generations of English cheesemaking knowledge adapted to Pennsylvania’s climate. Aged for 3 years, it develops intense, complex flavors with pleasant bite and crystalline texture. The cheese balances sharp acidity with deep, savory notes.
Wine Pairing: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon or aged Bordeaux blend stands up to the cheddar’s intensity, while the wine’s structure complements the cheese’s firm texture. For white wine, choose an aged Chardonnay with sufficient body and complexity.
Marn Vom Berge
This gourmet, pasteurized goat milk bloomy rind cheese represents a unique creation inspired by a German-Swiss recipe which was originally used when cheese needed to be made in a hurry. The cheese ages for six weeks, developing a smooth texture with earthy, mushroom notes from its natural rind. The flavor builds gradually, finishing with hints of grass and wildflowers from the pastures.
Wine Pairing: Pair with Gewürztraminer or Riesling to complement its floral notes, or choose a light red like Beaujolais that won’t compete with the cheese’s subtle complexity.
Emanuel Vom Tal Sheep Milk Brie Style
This brie style showcases the versatility of sheep’s milk in a soft-ripened cheese. Unlike traditional cow’s milk Brie, this version offers more intense flavor with a dense, creamy texture. The bloomy rind develops naturally over four to six weeks of aging.
Wine Pairing: Champagne or quality sparkling wine provides the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy texture. Alternatively, a light, fruity red like Gamay or young Pinot Noir complements without overwhelming.
Der Edel Bleu Cheese Stilton Style
The crown jewel of the collection, “Der Edel” (the noble one) represents the pinnacle of traditional blue cheese making. This Stilton-style cheese ages for 8 months, developing complex blue-green veining throughout its ivory paste. The flavor balances sweet cream with sharp, mineral notes.
Wine Pairing: Port or Sauternes provides classic pairing with the sweet wine balancing the cheese’s pungent saltiness. For table wine, choose a full-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo that can match the cheese’s intensity.
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A Living Tradition
These exceptional cheeses represent more than artisanal food production; they embody a way of life that values quality over quantity, tradition over innovation, and community over individual gain.
For food lovers seeking authentic flavors and meaningful connections to their food sources, these artisanal cheeses provide an unparalleled tasting experience that honors both tradition and terroir. Each bite carries the essence of Pennsylvania’s pastoral landscape and the enduring legacy of America’s Amish communities.
