Gran Mestri
Gran Mestri Alimentos is a privately held Brazilian producer of premium Italian-style cheeses and dairy products, founded in 2002 in western Santa Catarina. It serves retail consumers, foodservice (Linha Gourmet), and retail partners (Aurora Coop) with aged and lactose-free cheese lines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersGuaraciaba, Brazil
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Gran Mestri does
Gran Mestri (legal name Gran Mestri Alimentos) is a privately held Brazilian cheese and dairy producer founded in 2002 by Acari Menestrina and headquartered in western Santa Catarina, one of Brazil's principal dairy basins. The company manufactures premium Italian-style cheeses and complementary dairy products — including Tipo Grana aged 12-36 months, Parmesão, Montanhês, Provolone (smoked and unsmoked), Gorgonzola, Pecorino Sardo and Romano, Mascarpone (produced in Italy), Manteiga, Requeijão, and Doce de Leite — alongside a Zero Lactose product line and a Linha Gourmet sub-brand targeting restaurants and specialized food establishments. The core production technology is based on artisanal Italian cheese-making techniques adapted for Brazil: milk samples are sent to Italy for starter-culture development and quality analysis by Italian master cheesemakers, cheeses are matured in controlled chambers for extended periods (12, 24, or 36 months), and a modern in-house laboratory conducts daily quality and traceability monitoring of inputs, equipment, and handlers. The company sources milk from Jersey-breed cows fed on pasture, hay, and cereal mix, which supports higher solid and protein content.
Gran Mestri firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gran Mestri
- Legal name
- Gran Mestri Alimentos
- Website
- https://granmestri.com.br
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Gran Mestri Alimentos is a privately held Brazilian producer of premium Italian-style cheeses and dairy products, founded in 2002 in western Santa Catarina. It serves retail consumers, foodservice (Linha Gourmet), and retail partners (Aurora Coop) with aged and lactose-free cheese lines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gran Mestri industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisanal Cheese Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Creamery Butter Manufacturing (311512)
- SIC
- Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB), Pasta Filata Cheese Manufacturing (Mozzarella, Provolone, String Cheese) (AFAHABAC), Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL), Cheese Aging/Affineur Services (Maturation & Cave-Aging) (AFAHABAH)
Keywords
Where Gran Mestri is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guaraciaba
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gran Mestri business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Cheese and Dairy Product Sales: Gran Mestri generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of premium Italian-style cheeses (Grana, Parmesão, Provolone, Gorgonzola, Pecorino, Montanhês), butter, doce de leite, requeijão, mascarpone, and a zero lactose product line. Products are sold through retail partners, foodservice/gourmet channels, and direct consumer channels.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Gran Mestri product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gran Mestri manufactures premium Italian-style cheeses and dairy products in western Santa Catarina, Brazil. The portfolio includes aged hard cheeses (Tipo Grana matured 12-36 months, Parmesão, Montanhês), semi-hard cheeses (Provolone), blue cheese (Gorgonzola), sheep's milk Pecorino, plus complementary dairy items (butter, mascarpone, requeijão, doce de leite). The company also offers a dedicated Zero Lactose line and a Linha Gourmet sub-brand tailored for restaurants and specialty food establishments.
Product overview
Gran Mestri is a Brazilian cheese and dairy company producing Italian-style cheeses and dairy products with a diverse portfolio. The core offering centers on premium aged hard cheeses (Tipo Grana matured 12-36 months, Parmesão), semi-hard cheeses (Montanhês, Provolone in smoked and unsmoked varieties), blue cheese (Gorgonzola), and sheep's milk cheeses (Pecorino Sardo and Romano with DOP protection). The product line extends to butter (available in lata, pote, and gourmet bucket formats including a specialized oven/stovetop line), mascarpone, requeijão (cheese spread), and doce de leite (caramel) with both consumer and professional formats. A dedicated Zero Lactose line mirrors the main portfolio for lactose-intolerant consumers. Additional offerings include special gift kits (Kits Gourmet) for gifting occasions and a Linha Gourmet sub-brand supplying restaurants and specialty food establishments with professional-grade formats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Linha Gourmet: Product line featuring formats perfect for restaurants and specialized stores.
- Zero Lactose
- Kits Especiais
Products and services
- Tipo Grana Premium aged hard cheese inspired by the monastic tradition of Padania, Italy. Matured for 12, 24, or 36 months in controlled chambers, featuring a firm thick rind, complex flavors that develop with aging, granular texture, and fresh aroma. Used for cheese boards, risottos, carpaccio, and pasta sauces.
- Parmesão Italian-style Parmesan cheese inspired by the province of Parma, Italy. A hard cheese with granular compact texture and intense sweet and spicy flavor. Used for pasta, risottos, cheese boards, and dish finishing.
- Montanhês Hard cheese produced using the same process as Parmesan but with shorter maturation. Softer and lighter, suitable for daily consumption in salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and as a base for pasta sauces and risottos.
- Provolone Italian stretched-curd cheese made from cow's milk, available in smoked and unsmoked varieties. Features a firm texture with slightly spicy flavors. Consumed pure, seasoned, grated, grilled, gratinated, or used in pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards.
- Gorgonzola Traditional blue cheese from the Gorgonzola, Lombardia region of northern Italy. Features a particular recipe with slight creaminess and unmistakable flavor. Used for culinary sauces, cubed in salads, and on cheese boards for special occasions.
- Pecorino (Sardo e Romano) Sheep's milk cheeses with over 2,000 years of history. Pecorino Romano carries DOP protection, is hard with a soft rind, marfil-colored, compact texture and salty-slightly spicy flavor. Pecorino Sardo from Sardinia is hard and granular with buttery flavor. Both ideal for cheese boards and Italian recipes.
- Zero Lactose (Linha) Complete line of lactose-free products preserving the flavor of Gran Mestri cheeses. Includes lactose-free versions of Grana Padano, Parmesão, Provolone, Gorgonzola, Parmesão Ralado, Requeijão, and Manteiga for daily consumption from breakfast to dinner by lactose-intolerant consumers.
- Manteiga (Butter) Butter produced from an exclusive Italian recipe with international quality standard milk, without preservatives. Available in lata (tin), pote (cup), and balde gourmet (gourmet bucket) formats, including a linha forno e fogão (oven and stovetop line). Versatile for breakfast, sweet and savory recipes.
- Mascarpone Italian cream cheese produced exclusively for Gran Mestri in Italy. Known worldwide for classic Italian recipes like Tiramisu. Excellent ingredient for risottos and pasta dishes, featuring creamy texture and delicate flavor.
- Requeijão Brazilian cheese spread with extremely creamy consistency made to international quality standards. Versatile for breakfast, afternoon snacks, on toast, as a sweet topping, and in recipe preparations.
- Doce de Leite Caramelized milk product with Uruguayan classic recipe developed exclusively for Gran Mestri, featuring captivating flavor, color, aroma, and texture. Available in mesa (table) glass jar format for fruits, pancakes, toasts, and croissants, and gourmet bucket format suitable for high oven temperatures for professional use.
- Kits Especiais (Kits Gourmet) Special gift kits designed for differentiated experiences with noble cheese culture. Special packaging and care in every detail, gathering Gran Mestri's most iconic products in practical options perfect for gifting to culinary enthusiasts and gastronomy lovers.
- Linha Gourmet Product line designed for restaurants and specialized food establishments. Features formats approved by renowned chefs, delivering the quality required to impress clients. Includes specialty cheese cuts and formats for professional kitchens; products are present in the most renowned restaurants in Brazil.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cheeses aged 12, 24, or 36 months in controlled chambers
Companies that use Gran Mestri
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gran Mestri technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Gran Mestri partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Aurora CoopcoreAurora Coop is the cooperative network through which Gran Mestri distributes its products to retail stores. The company links to auroracoop.com.br for 'Where to buy for your store' and 'Work with us' (careers) inquiries, indicating a core distribution partnership. Phone support (0800 011 3500) is also attributed to Aurora.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
Gran Mestri competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tirol: Brazilian dairy cooperative producing a broad portfolio of cheeses, milks, and dairy products. Direct comparable to Gran Mestri in Brazilian cheese manufacturing footprint, multi-product portfolio, and cooperative-style distribution model.
- Italac: Major Brazilian dairy company producing cheeses, milks, and dairy derivatives. Direct peer in cheese manufacturing for the Brazilian market with overlapping retail distribution and product breadth.
- Vigor: Brazilian dairy company producing cheeses, butter, requeijão, and doce de leite. Direct peer given overlapping portfolio (especially requeijão, manteiga, doce de leite) and Brazilian retail distribution scale.
- Polenghi: Iconic Brazilian cheese spread and dairy brand, with presence in manteiga, requeijão, and grated cheese. Direct peer in the Brazilian cheese spread / processed dairy segment that overlaps with Gran Mestri's requeijão and grated Parmesão offerings.
- Piracanjuba: Brazilian dairy company producing cheeses, butter, requeijão, and doce de leite. Direct peer given portfolio overlap in butter, requeijão, and doce de leite and similar mass-market Brazilian retail distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gran Mestri social profiles
Digital presenceGran Mestri financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gran Mestri leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Gran Mestri funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gran Mestri M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gran Mestri
What does Gran Mestri do?
Gran Mestri manufactures premium Italian-style cheeses and dairy products in western Santa Catarina, Brazil. The portfolio includes aged hard cheeses (Tipo Grana matured 12-36 months, Parmesão, Montanhês), semi-hard cheeses (Provolone), blue cheese (Gorgonzola), sheep's milk Pecorino, plus complementary dairy items (butter, mascarpone, requeijão, doce de leite). The company also offers a dedicated Zero Lactose line and a Linha Gourmet sub-brand tailored for restaurants and specialty food establishments.
Is Gran Mestri a public or private company?
Gran Mestri is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Gran Mestri founded?
Gran Mestri was founded in 2002. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Gran Mestri based?
Gran Mestri is headquartered in Guaraciaba, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does Gran Mestri make money?
One revenue line is on record: cheese and Dairy Product Sales.
Who are Gran Mestri's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tirol, Italac, Vigor, Polenghi and Piracanjuba.
Does Gran Mestri have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gran Mestri.
What industry is Gran Mestri in?
Gran Mestri's product category is Artisanal Cheese Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHABAB, Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue), with a secondary code of AFAKAKAB, Cheese Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311513 and its SIC code is 2020.