News
Dairy diary.
Press Releases
PLYMOUTH, Wis.— Oct. 23, 2023 — Sartori Cheese®, a Wisconsin-based artisan cheese company, is adding to its award-winning lineup of BellaVitano® cheeses. The company is proud to announce the arrival of flavor-packed Tomato Basil BellaVitano, the brand’s newest BellaVitano variety.
With over 80 years of experience in artisan cheesemaking innovation and craftsmanship, Sartori is always looking for ways to introduce bold takes on timeless, beloved flavors. Tomato Basil perfectly balances sweet and nutty BellaVitano with delightful savory notes, offering an experience that’s equal parts fruity and herbaceous.
“We’ve taken years to perfect this new flavor, and we’re proud to share it with people all over the world,” said Sartori Cheese CEO Bert Sartori. “Tomato Basil BellaVitano is a bold flavor fit for any occasion big or small, and we’re excited for everyone to experience how well it pairs with their favorite drink, snack or activity.”
Sartori’s Master Cheesemakers recommend pairing Tomato Basil BellaVitano with prosciutto, olives, artichokes, full-bodied wines and sparkling water. A full pairing guide for Sartori’s lineup of cheeses can be found at https://www.sartoricheese.com/pairing/.
Tomato Basil BellaVitano and other Sartori cheeses can be purchased now at https://shop.sartoricheese.com/ and at retailers nationwide.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (December 31, 2022) -A proud Plymouth, Wisconsin tradition returns with the 16th Annual Sartori Cheese Drop. The family-friendly event, lauded as "One of the Quirkiest New Year's Eve Traditions" by CNN, culminates with a giant wedge of Sartori BellaVitano® Gold dropping 100 feet to the crowd's countdown.
Sponsored by Sartori Cheese, a fourth-generation family-owned company, the Cheese Drop is a fun tradition that brings families together in the historic downtown of Plymouth, known officially as the "Cheese Capital of the World." Hosted by the Plymouth Arts Center, the event includes live music, bonfires with hot cocoa and cheese sampling.
"We're excited to continue our partnership with the Plymouth Art Center for this long-standing tradition," said Bert Sartori, CEO of Sartori Cheese. “The Sartori cheese drop is an event that we look forward to every year and we wish to extend a happy and healthy 2023 to all.”
Festivities begin at the Plymouth Arts Center (520 E. Mill Street Plymouth, Wisconsin) at 8:30 p.m. with live music by 50s and 60’s tribute band, II Cool. The Cheese Drop begins at 10 p.m. Festivities continue through 12:00 a.m. with music and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (December 8, 2022) - Since 1939, the Sartori name has represented the highest quality in artisanal cheesemaking. Now, as Sartori Cheese names Bert Sartori its new CEO, the company has ushered in the fourth generation of family leadership in its storied 83-year history.
Bert’s father, Jim Sartori, represented the third generation of Sartori family leadership while holding the CEO role for nearly three decades. While Bert is poised to add a unique creative vision for the company’s future, he looks to honor and maintain the commitment to the cheesemaking craft that Sartori Cheese has built over the previous three generations.
“Sartori Cheese has always represented a culture of cheesemaking that celebrates creativity, passion, and authenticity,” said Bert Sartori. “I’m proud to lead a company anchored in tradition while pushing the boundaries of our craft so we can share new-to-the-world, award-worthy cheeses with people across the globe.”
Bert holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, is a licensed cheesemaker and has over 17 years of progressive experience in finance, operations, and business development. Sartori’s longevity and diversity of experience give him invaluable insight into every aspect of the cheesemaking business. His vision for the company’s future is centered around a continued partnership with Wisconsin’s best dairy farms and a steadfast commitment to the craft of cheesemaking
Sartori Cheese is proud to have four dozen licensed cheesemakers, including one of only two female Master Cheesemakers in Wisconsin. The company’s commitment to cultivating passionate cheesemakers is further highlighted by a best-in-class apprenticeship program that helps candidates hone their skills during the final steps of their training.
“Making great cheese starts with exceptional people – and we’re excited to continue investing in the talented, dedicated members of our team,” said Sartori.
Sartori was founded in 1939 by Bert Sartori’s great-grandfather, Paolo, an Italian immigrant. Bert’s grandfather, Joe, preceded his father, Jim, as the leader of the business. The company has grown from its dozen team members at the time of its founding to more than 900 today as it delights cheese lovers in over 50 countries worldwide.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (July 5, 2022) – Team Sartori’s Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano took home Gold at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the “Cheese with Alcohol” category. In addition, Sartori’s® SarVecchio® Parmesan was awarded Silver in the “Cheese with Health Benefits” category.
"We've been excited about Tennessee Whiskey from the first wheel of BellaVitano we soaked," said Erin Radtke, Master Cheesemaker Apprentice at Sartori® Cheese. “The team has worked very hard since our first batch to develop a product worthy of an award like this. It's rewarding to see that hard work pay off."
The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is the world’s largest cheese and dairy contest with over 5,500 entries every year. According to the ICDA, “Winning one of these prestigious awards means being part of an elite group and 125-year-old tradition of the very best in class.”
Information on where to buy Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano® and other world award-winning Sartori® cheese can be found at www.sartoricheese.com.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (June 22, 2022) – Sartori® Cheese is excited to announce that Old World Cheddar was named PEOPLE Best Cheddar Cheese of 2022. The PEOPLE 2022 Food Awards happens yearly, and their 150 testers ate, drank and cooked 1,300 assorted products to crown the best new supermarket products.
Old World is a one of kind cheddar inspired by Sartori’s® 80-year cheesemaking heritage. Sartori’s® Master Cheesemakers used Italian-inspired cultures to create this unique sharp flavor experience. PEOPLE taste testers awarded the cheddar high marks due to “its sharp, buttery taste” and creamy texture.
"Our team puts so much work into every cheese we make," said Pam Hodgson, Master Cheesemaker at Sartori® Cheese. "Our Old World Cheddar was no exception. Seeing this cheese highlighted in such an established publication is a huge honor for our local family farms and Sartori Team Members."
Learn more about Old World Cheddar and the other winners at www.people.com/food-awards, and check out newsstands nationwide on Friday, June 24th to see all the PEOPLE 2022 Food Awards winners in the July 4, 2022 PEOPLE issue.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (April 25, 2022) –Sartori® Cheese is thrilled to announce that Ken Kane has achieved his Master Cheesemaker certification in both Parmesan and Romano.
Ken Kane joined Sartori® in 2005 in an entry-level role eventually working his way up to become the plant manager of Sartori’s® West Main Creamery & East Main Cave facilities. He has spent the last 17 years perfecting his cheesemaking ability while supporting the growth and development of dozens of other award-winning Sartori® cheesemakers.
“The thing I love about cheesemaking is really the art. It’s ever-changing, it’s living,” Master Cheesemaker, Ken Kane said, “there are lots of little pieces that we’re adding and adjusting or monitoring to make a consistent high-quality cheese, day in and day out.”
“We are proud of Ken Kane and his Master Cheesemaker certification. His ability not only to produce amazing products but to also effectively train and teach other Team Members are key parts of achieving our mission: To Make the Best Cheese in the World,” said Bert Sartori, President of Sartori® Cheese.
Every Master Cheesemaker candidate has upwards of 80,000 hours of cheesemaking before being accepted into the program. Every cheesemaker must be a licensed cheesemaker for 10 years with at least five years of experience in the specific variety they wish to be certified in. Sartori also has a leading Master Cheesemaker apprentice program that helps hone the cheesemaker’s skills and helps prepare them for the final steps of their training. Once accepted into the prestigious Master Cheesemaker program, it requires 3 years of rigorous training and coursework. In the state of Wisconsin, there are more than 1,200 licensed cheesemakers but less than 80 hold the prestigious title of Master Cheesemaker.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (March 23, 2022) – Yesterday, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Senate Bill 827 into law at Sartori® Cheese in Plymouth, Wisconsin.
The bill, authored by State Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and State Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) provides funding for the new Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), a $5 million, five-year program intended to boost the sale of Wisconsin dairy products, crops, and meat internationally. Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Randy Romanski, and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Executive Director, John Umhoefer, were also in attendance.
The signing took place in Sartori® Cheese’s historic East Main Caves in Plymouth. Sartori®, a family-owned specialty cheese company based in Wisconsin, is one of the world’s most award-winning cheesemakers. Over the past decade, Sartori® has steadily expanded their specialty cheese export business and the company expects this new funding to help accelerate growth.
“We are thrilled by the bipartisan efforts of the Wisconsin government to promote Wisconsin cheese exports globally.” said Sartori CEO, Jeff Schwager “We thank Governor Evers and all who worked to bring this bill into fruition. This funding will help introduce consumers across the globe to the amazing specialty cheese products coming out of Wisconsin.”
After signing Senate Bill 827, Governor Evers stayed to receive a tour of the East Main Caves and hand finish a few of Sartori’s® internationally award-winning Espresso BellaVitano® cheese wheels.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (December 31st, 2021) – A proud Plymouth, Wisconsin tradition returns, live and in-person, with the 15th Annual Sartori® Big Cheese Drop. The family-friendly event, lauded as “One of the Quirkiest New Year’s Eve Traditions” by CNN, culminates with a giant wedge of Sartori® BellaVitano® Gold dropping 100 feet to the crowd’s countdown.
Sponsored by fourth-generation and family-owned Sartori® Cheese, the Big Cheese Drop brings hundreds of people to the historic downtown of Plymouth, known officially as the “Cheese Capital of the World.” Hosted by the Plymouth Arts Center, the event includes live music, bonfires with hot cocoa and cheese sampling.
“We’re so happy to see this event return in-person in 2021,” said Jim Sartori, chairman of Sartori® Cheese. “Now more than ever, we’re excited for the opportunity to bring our families, friends and neighbors safely together to ring in the New Year.”
Festivities begin at the Plymouth Arts Center (520 E. Mill Street Plymouth, Wisconsin) at 8:30p.m. with live music by Bella Musik followed by the Honeygoats. The Big Cheese Drop begins at 10p.m. Festivities continue through 12:30a.m. with music and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (March 31st, 2021) – Sartori® Cheese is excited to announce a $47,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. For the tenth season in a row, Sartori® partnered with Green Bay Packer kicker, Mason Crosby, to support Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Sartori® donates $1,000 for each regular-season and $1,500 for each post-season completed field goal. Crosby had a perfect 2020 season converting all regular & post season kicks, totaling up to $22,000. Over the past ten seasons this partnership has generated over $300,000 in donations.
“We are so proud to work with Mason and Make-A-Wish Wisconsin,” said Jim Sartori, Chairman of Sartori® Company. “We hope these efforts bring comfort, hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses and their families.”
Sartori® is donating an additional $25,000 to honor the tireless work of the Sartori Team Members and Family Farms through the course of the pandemic. “We truly appreciate our Team’s dedication and commitment to keeping America fed through this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Bert Sartori, President of Sartori® Company. “As a token of appreciation for our Team Members, we are making a donation to a cause we all deeply believe in.”
“The Team Members at Sartori®, along with Mason, are true champions of wish kids across the state. We look forward to granting many more wishes together in the years to come,” said Patti Gorsky, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (December 31st, 2020) – New Year’s Eve celebrations will look a little different for many this year in the community of Plymouth, Wisconsin, home of Sartori® Cheese. The annual Sartori® Cheese Drop, nationally lauded as one of the country’s quirkiest New Year’s Eve traditions, will be going virtual in the interest of public safety.
This event celebrates the city of Plymouth, known as the Cheese capital of the world. For the past 14 years the event has drawn thousands as the community comes together to welcome in the new year. The crescendo of the event is marked by a countdown and the lowering of a giant wedge of Sartori’s world award-winning BellaVitano® Gold Cheese.
Following CDC and Wisconsin State Guidelines, the 2020 Sartori® Cheese drop was filmed in partnership with the Plymouth Arts Center and the Plymouth Fire Department. Jim Sartori, Chairman of Sartori® Cheese, and his wife, Jan, were onsite to observe the tradition. “It wouldn’t feel like New Year’s Eve in Plymouth without the Sartori® Cheese Drop – we’re very appreciative to the Plymouth Art Center & Plymouth Fire Department for helping to keep the tradition alive this year. We wish everyone a happy new year and we look forward to a very bright 2021.” said Sartori®.
Find clips of the 14th Annual Sartori® Cheese Drop here.
New Product Launches
Plymouth, Wisconsin (06/12/2022) – Sartori Cheese is proud to announce a new, flavor-packed, and award-winning addition to our Reserve cheese family, Cherrywood Smoked Cheddar. With over 80 years of innovation and craftsmanship, Sartori’s Italian-inspired white cheddars are guaranteed to deliver one-of-a-kind experiences.
Naturally smoking MontAmoré® with Cherrywood brings new life to the fruity & sweet notes in the cheddar. The aromatic Cherrywood smoke fills the mouth right away with a subtle, sweet-smoke flavor. Cherrywood Smoked Cheddar can be found year-round in retailers, specialty cheese shops, and on our online catalog, and is now available for purchase nationally.
For immediate purchase of Cherrywood Smoked MontAmore, visit Sartori’s digital cheese shop at https://shop.sartoricheese.com/. This product can also be found in various Retailers across the country. Look for recipe inspirations on Sartori's social media accounts. There are also pairing ideas available at https://www.sartoricheese.com/pairing/cheese.
Plymouth, Wisconsin (September 13, 2021) – Sartori® Cheese is excited to announce the newest addition to the award-winning BellaVitano® Cheese family. Inspired by Italian flavors and crafted by Master Cheesemakers, Garlic & Herb BellaVitano® debuts Fall 2021.
Sartori’s Cheesemakers artfully balanced savory and sweet with the new BellaVitano®. “We had a distinct flavor profile in mind,” said Master Cheesemaker Apprentice Erin Radtke. “The trick was working with our talented team to narrow in on a blend of herbs and spices that really brought out the best in BellaVitano®.”
The Sartori Family original cheese – BellaVitano® – is both rich and creamy with a nutty, fruity flavor that is truly unique. To create Garlic & Herb BellaVitano®, each wheel is hand-crafted with an artisan blend of garlic, lemon vest, Aleppo chili pepper, parsley and extra virgin olive oil.
Reminiscent of the flavors and traditions of the Sartori Family table, Garlic & Herb BellaVitano® is nostalgic for Bert Sartori, president of Sartori® Cheese. “Garlic, oregano and rosemary – these are the smells and tastes that take me back to the memories of growing up in an Italian family,” said Sartori. “We are very excited to bring these flavors to life in our newest BellaVitano®.”
Look for Garlic & Herb BellaVitano® in leading specialty cheese shops and regional retailers for the Holiday Season 2021.
Awards
Plymouth, Wisconsin (July 5, 2023) – Team Sartori’s® Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano® SarVecchio®took home Gold at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the “Cheese with Alcohol” category. In addition, Sartori’s® SarVecchio® Parmesan was awarded Silver in the “Cheese with Health Benefits” category.
"We've been excited about Tennessee Whiskey from the first wheel of BellaVitano® we soaked," said Erin Radtke, Master Cheesemaker Apprentice at Sartori Cheese. “The team has worked very hard since our first batch to develop a product worthy of an award like this. It's rewarding to see that hard work pay off."
The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is the world’s largest cheese and dairy contest with over 5,500 entries every year. According to the ICDA, “Winning one of these prestigious awards means being part of an elite group and 125-year-old tradition of the very best in class.”
Plymouth, Wisconsin (July 1, 2023) – Team Sartori’s® Cherrywood Smoked Cheddar took home Gold at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the “Naturally Smoked Cheese” category. In addition, Sartori’s® SarVecchio® Parmesan was awarded Silver in the “Cheese with Health Benefits” category, and Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano® was awarded Silver in the “Cheese with Alcohol” category.
Naturally smoking MontAmoré® with Cherrywood brings new life to the fruity and sweet notes in the cheddar. The aromatic Cherrywood smoke fills the mouth right away with a subtle, sweet-smoke flavor.
“All of us are honored to see Cherrywood Smoked Cheddar awarded on the world stage,” said Pam Hodgson, Master Cheesemaker at Sartori® Cheese. “It exemplifies the teamwork and collaboration that we strive for every day. Our success starts with the care of our family farmers and reflects the dedication to quality by our Team Members.”
The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is the world’s largest cheese and dairy contest with over 5,500 entries per year. According to the ICDA, “Winning one of these prestigious awards means being part of an elite group and 125-year-old tradition of the very best in class.”
Plymouth, Wisconsin (March 11, 2022) – Team Sartori took home Gold in the World Champion Cheese Contest. Sartori’s® Classic Asiago won Gold and Bronze in the ‘Asiago, Aged’ category and the Tuscan Blend won Gold in the ‘Open Shredded Cheese Blends’ category. In addition, Sartori’s® SarVecchio® won a Silver in the ‘Open Shredded Cheese’ category and the Espresso BellaVitano® took the Bronze in the ‘Open Hard Cheese, Flavored’ category.
“This honor belongs to the entire Sartori Team,” said Pam Hodgson, Master Cheesemaker at Sartori® Cheese. “We put an incredible amount of work into each and every cheese. It’s always a great feeling when that dedication to a high-quality product is recognized by the judges and translates into a win for the team.”
The World Championship Cheese Contest® is the world’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition and has been hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association biennially since 1957. Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from all over the world. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest-scoring entries in each class. The 2022 World Championship Cheese Contest had a total of 2,978 entries.
First-place finishes included:
· First in the ‘Asiago, Aged’ for Classic Asiago
· First in the ‘Open Shredded Cheese Blends’ category for Tuscan Blend
Other awards included:
· Third in ‘Asiago, Aged’ with Classic Asiago
· Second in ‘Open Shredded Cheese Blend’ with Regal Blend
· Second in ‘Open Shredded Cheese’ with SarVecchio
· Third in ‘Open Hard Cheese, Flavored’ with Espresso BellaVitano
More information and where to buy these award-winning cheeses can be found at https://www.sartoricheese.com/home.html
Bergamo, Italy (October 19, 2019) – Team Sartori was awarded a 2019 Super Gold during the World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy. Our SarVecchio® earned the Super Gold award by being one of the top 64 cheeses out of 3,804 entries. SarVecchio® was 1 of only 7 U.S. cheeses to earn a Super Gold and the only domestic parmesan.
“Our mission at Sartori® is to make the best cheese in the world and a win like this lets us know that we’re on the right path,” said Jeff Schwager, president of Sartori® Cheese. “We’re incredibly humbled to have been awarded a Super Gold for SarVecchio® Parmesan at the World Cheese Awards. It’s truly a testament to the commitment and hard work of our Family Farms, Team Members and Master Cheesemakers.”
SarVecchio® has a long history of contest wins across the globe in its past, including gold medals at the International Cheese Awards in 2015, 2017, and 2019. It also took home a Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in 2017.
Sartori® Cheese embraces the opportunity to annually showcase its cheese at the World Cheese Awards. In addition to the Super Gold awarded for SarVecchio®, Sartori® Cheese also won with BellaVitano® Gold (Gold), Chardonnay BellaVitano® (Silver), Balsamic BellaVitano® (Silver), Tennessee Whiskey BellaVitano® (Bronze), Merlot BellaVitano® (Bronze) and Espresso BellaVitano® (Bronze).
For immediate purchase of the World Cheese Award winners, visit Sartori’s digital cheese shop. Products can also be found in various retailers across the country.
Sartori® Cheese joined the ranks of the world’s best with two entries making it to the prestigious final round of judging at the World Championship Cheese Contest. Espresso BellaVitano® and Pastorale Blend® outscored more than 3,300 entries from 26 countries to make the Top 20 cut. Both cheese varieties are Sartori® Originals — invented and handcrafted by Sartori’s Master Cheesemakers and Team Members in Wisconsin.
"It is such an honor for our Team to see Sartori® Cheese compete and win on a global stage," said Jim Sartori, CEO and owner of Sartori® Company. "Our Team Members, Master Cheesemakers and Family Farms work tirelessly to handcraft the best product possible. We’re humbled to see our artisan approach to cheesemaking resonate with the judges."
A team of 56 international judges spent three days testing, tasting and talking about each entry at the biannual competition. Espresso BellaVitano® — an aged cow’s milk cheese hand-rubbed with roasted ground espresso — was praised for its rich, creamy flavor. Whereas Pastorale Blend — an aged cow’s and sheep’s milk cheese hand-rubbed with smoky paprika — was applauded for its nuanced notes of sweetness and overall balance.
Other Sartori® Cheese varieties to win recognition at the World Championship Cheese Contest include Extra-Aged Asiago, Merlot BellaVitano® and Black Pepper BellaVitano®.
All Sartori® Cheese winners from the World Championship Cheese Contest can be purchased in stores or online.
Sartori® Cheese won two prestigious Super Gold honors at the 30th Annual World Cheese Awards. Sartori® was the only United States cheesemaker to be awarded two Super Golds — one for SarVecchio® Parmesan and another for Reserve BellaVitano® Gold.
"It means so much to our talented Team Members, Master Cheesemakers and Family Farms to see two Sartori® Originals — our SarVecchio® Parmesan and BellaVitano® Gold — get such high praise at the reputable World Cheese Awards," said Jeff Schwager, president of Sartori® Cheese.
The elite competition included a record-breaking 3,000 cheeses from 35 different countries. Only 66 Super Golds were awarded by the international pool of judges gathered in London.
Other Sartori® awards included gold medals for Limited Edition Extra-Aged Goat and Reserve Black Pepper BellaVitano®; silver medals for Classic Parmesan and Reserve Balsamic BellaVitano®; bronze medals for Limited Edition Cognac and Limited Edition Pastorale® Blend.
Sartori® Company’s Black Pepper BellaVitano® took home the top prize at the World Dairy Expo, winning the “Grand Champion” title of the Cheese & Butter Contest. The accolade comes mere months after Black Pepper BellaVitano® was also awarded the highest honor at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.
"Winning at the World Dairy Expo means a tremendous amount to our Team," said Jeff Schwager, President of Sartori® Company. "We know how high the bar has been set internationally by cheesemakers, so having Black Pepper BellaVitano® win Grand Champion again is a true testament to the hard work and talent of our Family Farms, Master Cheesemakers and Team Members."
While Black Pepper BellaVitano® scored a near-perfect 99.85 at the competition, other Sartori® creations also impressed the judges out of the nearly 1,500 entries. Limited Edition Pastorale Blend® was awarded 1st Place and SarVecchio® Parmesan received 3rd Place.
Donations
As a family-owned company, we believe in doing the right thing. From organizing food drives to raising money for charity, we love giving back to our community in meaningful ways that align with our core values.
Among our care for our community comes the importance of thoughtful stewardship of the land and animals. Our offices focus on paperless work stations and proper recycling, while our plants have waste management and use clean water programs.
We’re honored to partner with local food banks and the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
Here are a couple of ways we give back to our community:
Local Food Banks
We’re proud to partner with Sheboygan County Food Bank. We donate thousands of dollars, hours, and pounds of cheese to members of the Plymouth Community to help those with food insecurity.
Make-A-Wish-Foundation®
This charity is near and dear to our hearts. It is our great wish that the joy provided by Make-A-Wish will give children and their families strength, courage, and hope moving into the future.