Upper Canada Cheese Company

What Upper Canada Cheese Company does

Upper Canada Cheese Company is an artisan cheesemaker founded in 2005 by Wayne Philbrick and headquartered at its creamery in Jordan Station, Ontario, in the Niagara wine region. The company is the only creamery in Canada producing cheese with 100% Guernsey cow milk, sourced exclusively from a single herd at Comfort Farms in Saint Anns, Ontario. Its product portfolio spans nine named cheeses — Niagara Gold (washed-rind, Trappist monk techniques), Comfort Cream (Camembert-style), Heritage Cheddar (cloth-wrapped, aged 8+ months), Guernsey Girl (grilling cheese), Jordan Station (maple-smoked Gouda-style), Maple-Smoked Comfort Cream, Nanny Noire (ash-ripened goat), and Nosey Goat (washed-rind goat) — plus a Buttercup prototype and seasonal Guernsey Ricotta Cheesecake. Production uses traditional handcrafted small-batch methods with cheeses aged in temperature- and humidity-controlled cellars mimicking French aging conditions (91-95% relative humidity, 51-52°F).

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model spanning direct-to-consumer (Creamery Shop & Tasting Room, Square e-commerce storefront, Cheese Club subscription with two tiers at $90/shipment), retail/wholesale (5 major Ontario grocery chains and 50+ independent grocers and specialty cheese shops), and on-premise/hospitality (50+ restaurants and wineries across Southern Ontario). Revenue is generated through one-time cheese sales, recurring Cheese Club subscriptions (Four Seasons quarterly $360/yr and Entertainer's Delight bi-annual $180/yr), and ancillary services including $20/person guided cheese tours, $120/person holiday charcuterie workshops, and the 2024-launched Cargo Kitchen partnership with Stick Shift Robata. Marketing is primarily experiential and content-driven (recipe blog, events, Instagram/Facebook, email newsletter, refer-a-friend referrals). The business is privately held and founder-owned with no disclosed institutional investors or external funding; operations run on a lean team of approximately 5 employees.

Name

Upper Canada Cheese Company

Legal name

Upper Canada Cheese Company

Website

https://uppercanadacheese.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Upper Canada Cheese Company is a privately-held artisan creamery in Jordan Station, Ontario, producing the only 100% Guernsey cow milk cheeses in Canada. It sells handcrafted cheeses direct-to-consumer, through Ontario grocery and hospitality channels, and via a Cheese Club subscription.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Cheese / Specialty Dairy

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB), Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA), Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

Keywords

• Artisan cheesemaking
• Specialty dairy products
• Cheese subscription service
• Farm-to-table cheese
• Guernsey milk cheese

Headquarters

HQ city

Jordan Station

HQ country

Canada

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. Cheese Product Sales: Upper Canada Cheese Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of its handcrafted artisan cheeses, including Niagara Gold, Comfort Cream, Heritage Cheddar, Guernsey Girl, Nosey Goat, Nanny Noire, Jordan Station, and Maple-Smoked Comfort Cream. Cheeses are sold in the Creamery Shop, online via their Square e-commerce site, and through retail distribution partners including Fortinos, Loblaws, Longos, Metro, Whole Foods, and independent grocers, restaurants, and wineries across Ontario.
2. Cheese Club Subscription: The company offers two Cheese Club subscription tiers: Four Seasons (quarterly, 4 times per year at $90 per shipment) and Entertainer's Delight (bi-annual, 2 times per year at $90 per shipment). Each shipment includes three handcrafted cheeses, tasting notes, pairing recipes, curated local gourmet offerings, and shipping. Four Seasons members receive a 10% storewide discount, sign-up gift, and refer-a-friend credit.
3. Cheese Tours and Tastings: The company offers guided cheese tours at $20 per person, including a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the artisanal production facility and curated cheese tasting. Private group cheese tours are also available on weekends. Light fare menu items (grilled cheese and fresh garden salad) are optionally available with 72 hours' notice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Upper Canada Cheese Company is an artisan creamery that handcrafts small-batch cheeses from 100% Guernsey cow milk (sourced exclusively from Comfort Farms) and fresh Ontario goat milk. Its core offering spans washed-rind, Camembert-style, cloth-wrapped aged cheddar, grilling, and maple-smoked cheese varieties, sold direct-to-consumer through its Jordan Station Creamery Shop, an online store, and a recurring Cheese Club subscription, and distributed wholesale to Ontario grocers, restaurants, and wineries.

Product overview

Upper Canada Cheese Company is an artisan cheesemaker producing handcrafted cheeses from 100% Guernsey cow milk and goat milk sourced from local Ontario farms. The core product portfolio centres on nine named cheese varieties — Niagara Gold (award-winning washed-rind), Comfort Cream (Camembert-style), Guernsey Girl (grilling cheese), Heritage Cheddar (aged), Jordan Station (maple-smoked), Nanny Noire (ash-ripened goat), Nosey Goat (washed-rind goat), Maple-Smoked Comfort Cream (smoked variant), and Buttercup (buttery spreadable) — alongside seasonal offerings such as Guernsey Ricotta Cheesecake. Complementary services include a Farm-To-Table Cheese Club subscription (Four Seasons and Entertainer's Delight tiers), on-site guided Cheese Tours, and The Cargo Kitchen restaurant partnership with Stick Shift Robata. The company retails through its Jordan Station creamery boutique and an online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Niagara Gold Award-winning semi-soft, washed-rind artisan cheese crafted from pure A2 Guernsey milk using Trappist monk cheese-making techniques. Each cheese is washed in brine twice weekly for five months and aged at 91% relative humidity and 52°F, producing nutty, earthy, slightly tangy flavour with creamy sweetness and excellent melting properties. Sold to consumers via the Creamery Shop and online, and to wholesale partners including grocers, restaurants, and wineries across Ontario.
• Comfort Cream Camembert-style artisan cheese with a velvety bloomy white rind enveloping a silky golden interior. Each round is hand-salted, hand-turned, and hand-wrapped, then aged at 95% relative humidity and 51°F for at least four weeks. Sold to consumers through the Creamery Shop and online, and distributed to wholesale partners.
• Guernsey Girl Firm Guernsey cow's milk grilling cheese inspired by Scandinavian bread cheese (similar to halloumi). Becomes crisp and golden on the outside with a soft, slightly salty, squeaky bite when fried or grilled. Made with 100% Guernsey milk rich in A2 protein, Beta Carotene, and Omega 3. Sold direct and wholesale.
• Heritage Cheddar Award-winning aged cheddar produced from Guernsey herd milk. Curds are separated from whey and each wheel is wrapped and pressed in cloth-lined molds, then aged for a minimum of eight months in a temperature- and humidity-controlled cave. Mature, buttery, and earthy with classic aged cheddar sharpness, subtle pineapple notes, and a delightful crumble. Won Second Place in the Mild Cheddar category at the 2020 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
• Jordan Station Semi-firm, Gouda-style cow's milk cheese lightly cold-smoked over maple wood. Fruity, tangy, and slightly salty with a smooth, creamy interior and sharpness on the finish. Sold direct and wholesale.
• Nanny Noire Camembert-style goat cheese with a bloomy rind, layer of vegetable ash, and bright white interior. Crafted with pure Ontario goat milk and aged for four weeks in two environmentally distinct cellars. Complex flavours of mushroom, hazelnut, and goat cream with a tangy finish. Sold direct and wholesale.
• Nosey Goat Pale, washed-rind goat cheese made with fresh Ontario goat milk. Grassy with notes of hay and straw, umami, and subtle saltiness; creamy with a bouncy texture. Each round is turned and washed with brine twice a week and aged for a minimum of 6 weeks at 95% relative humidity and 52°F. Sold direct and wholesale.
• Maple-Smoked Comfort Cream Cold-smoked version of Comfort Cream over maple wood. Smoky throughout with a pale yellow, crumbly yet creamy interior; fruity smokiness enhances earthy, mushroom notes. Sold direct and wholesale.
• Buttercup Guernsey cow's milk cheese in prototype stage, buttery and savoury with a smooth, creamy, nearly spreadable texture. Versatile for salads, sandwiches, melting, slicing, or cheese boards.
• Guernsey Ricotta Cheesecake Seasonal baked dessert made with fresh Guernsey ricotta, offered in classic Jordan Station-style or gingerbread flavours. Sold as a limited-time holiday product through the Creamery Shop.
• Farm-To-Table Cheese Club Subscription Recurring direct-to-consumer cheese subscription available in two tiers — Four Seasons (quarterly, 4 deliveries per year at $90/shipment with 10% member storewide discount, sign-up gift, and refer-a-friend credit) and Entertainer's Delight (bi-annual, 2 deliveries per year at $90/shipment with member events passes and exclusive offers). Each delivery includes three handcrafted cheeses, tasting notes, pairing recipes, and curated local gourmet accompaniments. Delivered across Southern Ontario, north to Parry Sound and east to Ottawa.
• Cheese Tours Guided cheese production tours at the Jordan Station creamery offering behind-the-scenes access to artisanal cheesemaking. Public tours at $20 per person (approximately 60–90 minutes, maximum 10 guests); private group tours available on weekends. Optional light-fare add-ons (grilled cheese and fresh garden salad) available with 72 hours' notice. Open to guests 16 years of age and older.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stick Shift RobatacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Upper Canada Cheese Company and Stick Shift Robata formed a landmark partnership to launch The Cargo Kitchen, a culinary destination at the Jordan Station creamery. The collaboration celebrates Japanese culinary craftsmanship, Niagara agriculture, and award-winning local cheese. The Cargo Kitchen features Japanese robata grilling, operates Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 5pm, and highlights Upper Canada cheeses on its menu.
• Honey Bee CharcuterieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoney Bee Charcuterie hosts Holiday Charcuterie Workshops at the Upper Canada Cheese creamery. These workshops teach participants to prepare professional charcuterie boards using 100% Upper Canada Cheese products and Canadian meats, with 2 complimentary drinks included.
• Triple C FarmsminorOthersTriple C Farms supplies the goats for the Family Goat Meet & Greet events at Upper Canada Cheese Company, held during International Goat Cheese Month.
• Twisted TomatominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTwisted Tomato, an Ontario-based gourmet ketchup company, partnered with Upper Canada Cheese for the CRAZY FOR CURDS & POUTINE event. Twisted Tomato ketchups were featured in poutine recipes using Upper Canada cheese curds.
• Nardini MeatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNardini Meats hosted an on-site BBQ event at the Upper Canada Cheese creamery, featuring sausage on a bun with beer, wine, or hard cider. Mild, Garlic & Hot sausage 4-packs were also available for sale in the retail store.
• Henry of Pelham WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHenry of Pelham Winery hosted the March 2024 Mac and Cheese Cook Off, where Upper Canada Cheese Company's chef used Jordan Station and Smoked Comfort Cream cheeses in the winning recipe.
• Comfort FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComfort Farms, a family-owned farm in Saint Anns, Ontario with eight generations of experience, supplies all of the Guernsey cow milk used in Upper Canada Cheese Company's cow's milk cheeses. The farm is located on the Niagara Escarpment and produces milk with the highest concentration of A2 protein available in Canada. Upper Canada Cheese is the only creamery in all of Canada to produce cheese with 100% Guernsey milk.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bright Cheese & Butter: Long-established Ontario dairy (Bright, Ontario) manufacturing cheddar and table cheeses. Comparable as a small Ontario-based cheese manufacturer with regional retail distribution, though operating at a more traditional/commodity tier than Upper Canada's artisanal positioning.
• Glengarry Fine Cheese: Eastern Ontario artisan cheese maker producing a wide range of cow and goat milk cheeses including washed-rind, bloomy rind, and cheddar styles. Similar small-batch craft model and Ontario-wide retail distribution footprint.
• Salt Spring Cheese: British Columbia artisan cheese maker producing farmstead cheeses with strong farm-to-table and farm-experience branding. Comparable in small-batch artisan approach, agritourism (tours/tastings), and direct retail/wholesale distribution, though operating in a different province.
• Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese: Ontario-based artisan cheese maker producing handcrafted cow and goat milk cheeses on a small farm scale. Directly comparable in production model, retail/wholesale distribution across Ontario, and farm-to-table positioning, though it does not use 100% Guernsey milk.
• Fromagerie du Presbytère: Award-winning Quebec artisan cheese maker producing bloomy-rind and washed-rind styles from cow and goat milk. Comparable in small-batch handcrafted production, multiple award recognitions, and farm-channel distribution, though concentrated in Quebec rather than Ontario.
• Black River Cheese Company: Ontario-based cheese manufacturer producing aged cheddars and artisan varieties. Comparable as a regional Ontario cheesemaker distributing through grocery, foodservice, and farm-direct channels at a similar small-batch craft scale.
• Mariposa Dairy: Ontario goat-dairy specialist producing bloomy rind, blue, and aged goat cheeses under the Hayfield's and Celebrity brand names. Comparable as a premium Ontario artisan cheesemaker with retail and foodservice distribution, though focused entirely on goat milk.
• Stonetown Artisan Cheese: Award-winning Ontario artisan cheesemaker offering a broad portfolio of styles (cheddar, Gouda, washed-rind, feta). Closely comparable in scale, distribution through Ontario grocers and farmers' markets, and direct-to-consumer farm retail.

Broad incumbents

• Gay Lea Foods: Canadian dairy farmer-owned co-operative producing cheeses, butter, and other dairy products sold across major Canadian grocers. Broadly comparable as a Canadian cheese manufacturer and Ontario distributor, but operates at co-operative/industrial scale with a mass-market positioning.
• Saputo: Canada's largest dairy processor with a broad portfolio including specialty and artisan cheese brands (e.g., Alexis de Portneuf, Stella). Overlaps with Upper Canada Cheese in cheese manufacturing and Ontario retail distribution, but at massive industrial scale across many dairy categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/uppercanadacheese
• Instagraminstagram.com/uppercanadacheese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upper-canada-cheese

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Upper Canada Cheese Company