C
alifornians helped launch the country's artisan-cheese movement in the 1980s, and the state
continues to birth new creameries and new cheeses today. Every cheese lover should applaud
the contributions of pioneers like Laura Chenel, Ig Vella of Vella Cheese Company and
Rogue Creamery, Cowgirl Creamery's Sue Conley and Peg Smith, Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove, and
Jennifer Bice of Redwood Hill. Their cheeses and their willingness to mentor newcomers have kept the
state in the forefront.
While it can be challenging to get a creamery off the ground
in the Golden State, there are interesting new offerings from
exciting up-and-comers and established stars.
BY JANET FLETCHER
The Latest California
Cheeses to Know
Lunetta
cheese focus
42 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com
PHOTO: COURTNEY CALDWELL