Marieke Gouda

What Marieke Gouda does

Marieke Gouda (legal entity Hollands Family Cheese) is a privately held, woman-owned farmstead cheesemaker producing premium Dutch-style Gouda in Thorp, Wisconsin. Founded by Marieke Penterman, a Netherlands-born dairy entrepreneur who relocated to Wisconsin with her partner Rolf (operator of a 350-cow dairy farm), the company is the only raw milk farmstead Dutch-style Gouda producer in the United States. Production follows traditional Old World Dutch cheesemaking techniques, including the washed-curd method, using milk sourced entirely from the company's own herd. The portfolio spans approximately 20+ SKUs across aged classics (Young through Reserve 1000+ days, Overjarige 2+ years, Golden Gouda Parmesan), flavored varieties (Truffle, Smoked, Smoked Cumin, Bacon, Cranberry, Jalapeño, Hatch Pepper, Honey Clover, Burning Melange, Foenegreek, Black Mustard, Holy Trinity), and spreadable Goudas, complemented by gift packs and corporate gift boxes.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its own Shopify storefront (shopmariekegouda.com), an on-site retail store and Café Dutchess at the Thorp farmstead, wholesale distribution through Whole Foods Market and other specialty grocers, restaurant supply, and a co-branded Superior Fresh gift bundle. Products are sold by weight at premium price points ($46–$59.99 for gift boxes of approximately 7 oz of cheese), reflecting the handcrafted positioning. Marieke Penterman's 2024 Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker certification — making her only the fourth woman to hold the title — and 309+ national and international competition awards (including Super Gold at the 2024 World Cheese Awards and 6 medals at the 2026 World Cheese Championship) underpin the brand's quality narrative. The business is bootstrapped with no external equity capital, received WBENC certification in April 2025, and operates with 11–50 employees.

Name

Marieke Gouda

Legal name

Hollands Family Cheese

Website

https://mariekegouda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marieke Gouda is a woman-owned, farmstead Dutch-style Gouda producer in Thorp, Wisconsin — the only raw milk farmstead Dutch Gouda in the United States — selling aged, flavored, and spreadable Goudas via D2C e-commerce, an on-site café, and nationwide wholesale through Whole Foods and specialty retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Artisan Cheese

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cheese Shops & Fromageries (CRAHAGAD), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese
• Farmstead gouda
• Raw milk cheese
• Dutch-style gouda
• Wisconsin cheese

Headquarters

HQ city

Thorp

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Cheese Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of award-winning artisan Gouda cheeses through e-commerce and on-site retail. Products include various flavored and aged Gouda varieties sold by weight.
2. Wholesale/Retail Distribution: Wholesale distribution to grocery stores including Whole Foods Market, specialty shops, and restaurants nationwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Marieke Gouda produces and sells premium, award-winning Dutch-style Gouda cheese made from raw milk sourced from the company's own 350-cow dairy herd at Penterman Farm in Thorp, Wisconsin. The portfolio includes aged classic Goudas, flavored Goudas, spreadable Goudas, gift packs, and corporate gift boxes, sold direct-to-consumer through e-commerce and on-site retail, and wholesale through grocers, specialty shops, and restaurants.

Product overview

Marieke Gouda is a farmstead cheese company producing premium, award-winning Dutch-style Gouda cheeses. The company offers a diverse portfolio of over 20 distinct Gouda varieties spanning three product lines: Classic/Aged Goudas (Young, Mature, Premium, Reserve, Super Aged, Overjarige, and Golden/Golden Parmesan), Flavored Goudas (Smoked, Smoked Cumin, Jalapeno, Hatch Pepper, Holy Trinity, Truffle, Bacon, Cranberry, Foenegreek, Honey Clover, and Burning Melange), and Spreadable Goudas (Original, Honey Clover, and Hatch Pepper spreads). All cheeses are handcrafted using raw milk from the company's own dairy herd, following traditional Dutch cheesemaking methods. The company also offers gift packages and corporate gift boxes. With over 300 lifetime awards, Marieke Gouda is recognized as a leader in artisanal cheese craftsmanship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Young Gouda (2-4 months) A mild, buttery classic Gouda aged 2-4 months with subtle flavors suitable for a wide range of palates; for everyday consumers seeking approachable artisan Gouda.
• Mature Gouda (6-9 months) An artisan Gouda aged 6-9 months with rich, full flavor, refined caramel notes, and a subtle bite; the company's highest award-winning variety, recognized at World Cheese Championship 2024 with 3 Gold awards and Best in Class.
• Premium Gouda (12-18 months) An aged Gouda aged 12-18 months, won Gold in the Gouda and Edam class at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair.
• Reserve Gouda (1000+ days) A super-aged Gouda aged over 1,000 days (approximately 3+ years), with intense, concentrated flavors. Reserve Gouda earned the Super Gold distinction at the 2024 World Cheese Awards (one of only 104 of 4,876 entries).
• Super Aged Gouda (18-24 months) An aged Gouda aged 18-24 months with deep, complex flavors.
• Overjarige Gouda (2+ years) An extra-aged Gouda aged over two years with extremely concentrated, crystalline textures.
• Belegen Gouda (4-6 months) A Gouda aged 4-6 months with developed flavors; won 1st place at the American Cheese Society.
• Aged Gouda (9-12 months) A Gouda aged 9-12 months; won 1st place and Top 10 placement at the 2025 American Cheese Society Awards.
• Golden Gouda Parmesan A unique Gouda-Parmesan blend combining creamy, slightly nutty Gouda flavors with sharp, savory Parmesan notes, designed as a grating cheese; awarded Gold at the 2024 World Cheese Championship.
• Smoked Gouda Naturally hickory-smoked Gouda with balanced, smoky flavors; won 1st place Gold at the US Championship Cheese Contest 2025.
• Smoked Cumin Gouda Smoked Gouda infused with cumin spice, adding earthy and warm notes.
• Jalapeño Gouda Gouda cheese with jalapeño peppers for a spicy kick.
• Hatch Pepper Gouda Gouda cheese made with New Mexico Hatch peppers, known for its unique southwestern flavor.
• Holy Trinity Gouda A savory Gouda combining classic onion, garlic, and celery flavors.
• Truffle Gouda Gouda cheese infused with truffle; won 1st place Gold at the US Championship Cheese Contest 2025.
• Bacon Gouda Gouda cheese with crispy bacon pieces blended in for a savory, smoky flavor.
• Cranberry Gouda Gouda cheese with dried cranberries adding sweetness and tartness.
• Foenegreek Gouda Gouda with hints of maple sweetness from fenugreek seeds, pairing well with pancakes and caramelized onions.
• Honey Clover Gouda

Quantifiable outcome

• 309 total awards earned over 20 years of operations, including 6 medals at 2026 World Cheese Championship.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Superior FreshminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 April 2023Partnership to create co-branded gift box featuring Marieke Gouda Smoked Cumin alongside Superior Fresh smoked Atlantic salmon products. Superior Fresh is the world's largest aquaponics farm located in Hixton, WI, providing local, fresh, sustainable products. The partnership creates a premium gift offering for gatherings at $59.99.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sartori Cheese: Wisconsin-based artisan cheesemaker producing award-winning premium cheeses including aged and flavored varieties. Closely comparable to Marieke Gouda in heritage, craftsmanship positioning, national specialty retail distribution, and family/founder-led ownership model.
• Roth Cheese: Wisconsin specialty cheesemaker known for Grand Cru-style and aged Alpine/Gouda-style cheeses distributed nationally through grocery and foodservice. Comparable in artisan positioning, premium pricing, and broad flavored/aged SKU range.
• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont farmstead cheesemaker producing award-winning aged cheeses from on-site raw milk. Highly comparable farm-to-cheese model, premium positioning, and reliance on award-driven brand authority.
• Rogue Creamery: Oregon farmstead creamery producing award-winning aged cheeses including blue and Gouda-style varieties. Comparable in farmstead authenticity, national specialty distribution, and award-led premium positioning.
• Beecher's Handmade Cheese: Artisan cheese maker with retail cafés and nationwide distribution, including Whole Foods. Comparable in combining on-site retail experiences with nationally distributed premium artisan cheese.
• Cypress Grove: California-based specialty cheesemaker known for award-winning goat cheeses including aged varieties. Comparable in artisan positioning, national specialty retail presence, and award-driven brand equity.

Broad incumbents

• BelGioioso Cheese: One of the largest U.S. specialty Italian cheese producers, based in Wisconsin. While broader and more diversified than Marieke Gouda, it competes for the same premium specialty cheese shelf space at Whole Foods and other natural food retailers.
• Tillamook: Oregon-based farmer-owned dairy cooperative with a large cheese portfolio and nationwide grocery distribution. A broader incumbent in the premium cheese category that competes for specialty cheese shelf space and consumer attention.
• Cabot Creamery: Farmer-owned cooperative producing a wide range of dairy products including aged and flavored cheeses, with nationwide grocery distribution. Comparable as a farmer-owned premium cheese brand with national reach.

Others

• Murray's Cheese: Iconic New York specialty cheese retailer and wholesaler that curates and distributes artisan cheeses including farmstead brands. Comparable as a route-to-market for premium artisan cheese and a tastemaker influencing Marieke's category positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mariekegouda
• Xx.com/mariekegouda
• Facebookfacebook.com/MariekeGouda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marieke-gouda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marieke Gouda