Grafton Village Cheese

What Grafton Village Cheese does

Grafton Village Cheese is a Vermont-based artisan cheesemaker founded in 1892 as the Grafton Cooperative Cheese Company and currently producing approximately 1 million pounds of cheese per year using 10 million pounds of milk sourced primarily from local Vermont family farms (notably Jersey cows for high butterfat content) and from the Central New York Dairy Sheep Milk Producers Cooperative for sheep's milk cheeses. The product portfolio spans three lines: aged cheddars (1-Year, 2-Year) using traditional old-style cheddaring methods abandoned by larger producers; cave-aged specialty cheeses (Clothbound Cheddar, Bear Hill, Shepsog, Storyteller) aged at controlled 55°F and 90%+ humidity; and naturally flavored cheddars (Truffle, Maple Smoked, Smoked Chili). Master Cheesemaker Mariano Gonzalez leads production since 2019.

The company operates a hybrid distribution model combining direct-to-consumer sales through two company-owned Vermont retail stores (Grafton production facility and Okemo Valley in Proctorsville) with free daily cheese tastings, e-commerce via Dakin Farm, and a national wholesale network reaching specialty cheese shops, gourmet stores, natural food stores, food co-ops, and selected supermarkets. Wholesale pricing is available by direct inquiry. The company is SQF-certified, produces cheeses free of artificial hormones and antibiotics, and uses microbial rennet for vegetarian approval.

In April 2025, the company was acquired by Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co., with the nonprofit Windham Foundation (which had operated Grafton since the mid-1960s) facilitating the sale to preserve Vermont's artisanal cheese traditions. The company has accumulated extensive award recognition across the American Cheese Society, World Cheese Awards, International Cheese & Dairy Awards, Good Food Awards, and The Big E.

Name

Grafton Village Cheese

Legal name

Grafton Village Cheese Company

Website

https://www.graftonvillagecheese.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grafton Village Cheese is a Vermont artisan cheesemaker founded in 1892 that produces ~1 million pounds annually of traditional aged cheddars, cave-aged specialty cheeses, and flavored cheddars from raw milk sourced from local Vermont family farms, selling through Vermont retail stores, e-commerce, and a national wholesale network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Specialty Cheese

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB), Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA), Cheese Wholesale (AFAIAEAC)

Keywords

• Artisan cheesemaking
• Aged cheddar
• Cave aged cheese
• Raw milk cheese
• Specialty cheese production

Headquarters

HQ city

Brattleboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Cheese Sales: Bulk sales of aged cheddars and cave-aged specialty cheeses to retailers, restaurants, and specialty food stores through a national distribution network.
2. Retail Store Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through company-owned retail stores offering cheese tastings and curated selection of state, national and international cheeses along with specialty foods and artisan gifts.
3. E-commerce: Online sales through Dakin Farm website and other specialty retailers' online stores for direct consumer purchasing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grafton Village Cheese handcrafts artisanal Vermont cheeses using unpasteurized raw milk sourced from local family farms and traditional old-style cheddaring methods. The portfolio includes aged cheddars (1 to 3 years), cave-aged specialty cheeses (Clothbound Cheddar, Bear Hill, Shepsog, Storyteller), and naturally flavored cheddars (Truffle, Maple Smoked, Smoked Chili). Products are sold direct-to-consumer through company retail stores and e-commerce partners, and to foodservice and specialty retail via a national wholesale network.

Product overview

Grafton Village Cheese is a Vermont artisan cheesemaker founded in 1892, producing handcrafted cheeses from premium unpasteurized raw milk sourced from local family farms. The product portfolio centers on aged cheddars aged 1-3 years, complemented by a line of cave-aged specialty cheeses made using traditional European methods, and flavored cheddars infused with natural ingredients. The core aged cheddar line includes 1 Year and 2 Year Aged Cheddars. The cave-aged specialty line features Clothbound Cheddar (British-style, cloth-wrapped and cave-aged 7+ months), Bear Hill (100% sheep's milk wash-rind), Shepsog (mixed cow and sheep's milk), and Storyteller (100% sheep's milk Pyrenees-style). The flavored cheddar line includes Truffle Cheddar, Maple Smoked Cheddar, and Smoked Chili Cheddar. The company produces approximately 1 million pounds of cheese annually using 10 million pounds of milk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1 Year Aged Cheddar A younger version of Grafton's flagship cheddar, aged for one full year with smooth, rich flavor, made from raw milk from Vermont's family farms. It develops a pleasant sharpness while maintaining a creamy texture, with aromas of fresh apples, butter, and fresh grass.
• 2 Year Aged Cheddar Grafton's flagship raw milk cheddar aged for two full years, developing complex flavors and a crystalline texture. Each wheel is aged in temperature-controlled caves, developing a characteristic crumbly texture and intense flavor profile.
• Clothbound Cheddar Wrapped in traditional cheesecloth and cave aged for a minimum of seven months using authentic British methods, this cheese develops a firm, creamy texture with a natural tendency to crumble, showcasing complex aromas of cave, mushrooms, and fresh butter.
• Bear Hill A cave aged artisan cheese made from 100% unpasteurized sheep's milk, named for the bluff overlooking Grafton village. It is a wash-rind cheese with a firm yet pliant texture, nutty and buttery aromas, and flavors.
• Shepsog An award-winning mixed milk cheddar combining cow and sheep's milk, named for the Algonquin word for sheep. This cave-aged cheese has a dusty gray and white mottled rind with firm texture, buttery aroma, and bright lemony and sweet flavors with caramel notes.
• Storyteller A Pyrenees-style cave aged cheese made from 100% unpasteurized sheep's milk, named for Daisy Turner, a renowned storyteller from Grafton. Aged in traditional basket-weave molds for at least six months, with a creamy paste, earthy aroma, and nutty grassy flavors.
• Smoked Chili Cheddar A rich cheddar with a balance of smokiness and chili heat, cold-smoked to perfection with layers of complex flavor, from initial smoky notes to building warmth of chilies made with habanero, jalapeño, and pasilla peppers.
• Truffle Cheddar An exceptional flavored cheddar infused with fresh truffles and premium truffle oil. The earthy aromas of fungi blend with the aged cheddar, creating a gourmet experience for cheese boards.
• Maple Smoked Cheddar A young cheddar cold-smoked over authentic maple wood chips, creating sweet smoky notes that complement the creamy cheddar base. A New England classic combining Grafton's traditional cheesemaking with Vermont's famous maple tradition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple 1st place awards at American Cheese Society including Shepsog 2024, 2025 and Clothbound Cheddar 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Grafton Village Cheese Co. was sold to Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co. in April 2025, with the Windham Foundation facilitating the sale. The acquisition aims to ensure the long-term success and preservation of Vermont's artisanal cheese traditions.
• The Windham FoundationcoreOthersThe nonprofit Windham Foundation restored Grafton Village Cheese in the mid-1960s after a fire destroyed the original factory in 1912. The Foundation continues to support the company and its mission of preserving Vermont's artisanal cheese traditions. Bob Reese serves as a board member.
• Central New York Dairy Sheep Milk Producers CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately 90% of the cooperative's sheep are pastured on clover grass mix during summer months. Producers are part of the Amish community farming with horse-drawn machinery and hand milking. Their quality standards match Grafton's requirements. Source for 100% of sheep's milk used in Bear Hill, Storyteller, and Shepsog cheeses.
• Vermont Cheese CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGrafton Village Cheese is a proud member of the Vermont Cheese Council. The Council has supported the Vermont cheesemaking community for over 20 years with ongoing education, collective marketing power, professional networking and opportunities to showcase Vermont cheese through events like Vermont Cheese Week.
• American Cheese SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrafton Village Cheese participates in American Cheese Society Awards competition and Mariano Gonzalez is a member of the Society. Annual competition provides recognition and industry visibility for award-winning cheeses.
• Local Vermont Family FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrafton sources premium hormone-free milk from small, local family farms. Primarily Jersey cow's milk is used, known for high protein and butterfat content creating Grafton's distinctive flavor profile. Daily milk deliveries support the local Vermont dairy economy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Shelburne Farms: Vermont-based artisanal cheesemaker producing handcrafted aged cheddars using traditional methods. Direct peer with overlapping product portfolio (farmstead cheddar), shared Vermont sourcing model, and overlapping cheesemaker talent (Mariano Gonzalez previously worked there).
• Rogue Creamery: Oregon-based artisanal cheesemaker famous for award-winning Rogue River Blue and aged cheddars. Direct peer in craft cheesemaking, raw milk usage, and World Cheese Awards / American Cheese Society competition positioning.
• Cypress Grove: California-based specialty cheesemaker known for Humboldt Fog and other award-winning goat cheeses. Direct peer in artisanal cheesemaking, specialty retail distribution, and American Cheese Society competition track record.
• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont cave-aged cheese specialist operating purpose-built aging caves producing award-winning cheeses like Cabot Clothbound and Harbison. Direct peer in cave aging technology, raw milk sourcing, and American Cheese Society competition circuit.
• Cellars at Jasper Hill: Affiliate of Jasper Hill Farm providing third-party cave aging services to Vermont cheesemakers. Direct peer in cave aging infrastructure model and as a potential supply chain partner.
• Vermont Creamery: Vermont-based artisanal producer of fresh and aged cheeses, butter, and cultured dairy. Direct peer in Vermont sourcing, specialty distribution channels, and award-winning artisanal positioning.
• Uplands Cheese (Pleasant Ridge Reserve): Wisconsin artisan cheesemaker producing Pleasant Ridge Reserve, a multiple Best of Show winner at American Cheese Society. Direct peer in craft farmstead cheesemaking, raw milk use, and ACS competition positioning.
• Fiscalini Cheese Company: California artisanal cheesemaker producing aged cheddar and specialty cheeses that won Best Cheddar at World Cheese Awards multiple times. Direct peer in traditional cheddaring craft and Mariano Gonzalez's former employer.

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Creamery: Vermont dairy farmer-owned cooperative producing widely distributed cheddar and dairy products. Operates at significantly larger scale but shares Vermont dairy heritage, national distribution footprint, and overlapping aged cheddar category.
• Tillamook County Creamery Association: Oregon dairy cooperative producing nationally distributed cheddar and dairy products at significant scale. Broad incumbent competing for mainstream retail shelf space where Grafton's specialty positioning differs but category overlap is meaningful.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/graftonvillagecheese
• Xx.com/graftoncheese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grafton-village-cheese

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Grafton Village Cheese