If you’re like me, cheese is basically life. So obviously I was thrilled to find out that North Carolina is actually home to one of the largest cheese producers in the South East. Even better, you can tour right where the cheese is made. Free samples? Gifts to take home? Unlimited cheese? Say no more.
Facebook/Ashe County Cheese Ashe County Cheese dates back to 1930, when it was started by Kraft to help consolidate small community cheese plants in the area. Throughout its time as a cheese factory, it has been sold to various owners. In 1981, Jerry Glick and Doug Rudersdorf, the new owners and two Wisconsin cheese men, renovated the factory. They updated both the plant and store and added a viewing room. Thanks to their help, it became one of the most popular tourist attractions in North Carolina.
Yelp / Wes J Today, Ashe County Cheese is owned by Mike Everhart and Tom Torkelson. Torkelson is regarded as one of the finest cheese makers in America.
Facebook / Ashe County Cheese In 2007, the store got a serious makeover, which makes it even better to visit today. Ashe County Cheese first developed a following from their Sienna Cheese but now produce a wide variety of both cheese and butter in the plant. The store features various cheeses from Ashe County and also a plethora of other food and gift items not regularly found elsewhere.
Facebook/Ashe County Cheese
Facebook/Ashe County Cheese While Ashe County Cheese has a rich history that spans some 75 years, the special items that people really love are the old style cheddar daisy wheels you’ll find in the shop. The Cheese Making Schedule featured on the website lets you see the best time to plan your visit. The viewing room lets you see exactly what goes into cheese making.
Yelp / John F. Obviously you’ll walk away with A LOT of cheese when you visit the shop. But you can also snag cheese bricks, cheese logs, hoop cheese, cheddar wheels, specialty cheese, butter, jams, jellies, preserves, fudge, souvenirs, and gift boxes to sample a bit of everything.
From getting a glimpse behind the scenes to taking home plenty of cheese…it seems cheese lovers have met their true match here! Have you visited before?
Facebook/Ashe County Cheese
Ashe County Cheese dates back to 1930, when it was started by Kraft to help consolidate small community cheese plants in the area. Throughout its time as a cheese factory, it has been sold to various owners. In 1981, Jerry Glick and Doug Rudersdorf, the new owners and two Wisconsin cheese men, renovated the factory. They updated both the plant and store and added a viewing room. Thanks to their help, it became one of the most popular tourist attractions in North Carolina.
Yelp / Wes J
Today, Ashe County Cheese is owned by Mike Everhart and Tom Torkelson. Torkelson is regarded as one of the finest cheese makers in America.
Facebook / Ashe County Cheese
In 2007, the store got a serious makeover, which makes it even better to visit today. Ashe County Cheese first developed a following from their Sienna Cheese but now produce a wide variety of both cheese and butter in the plant. The store features various cheeses from Ashe County and also a plethora of other food and gift items not regularly found elsewhere.
While Ashe County Cheese has a rich history that spans some 75 years, the special items that people really love are the old style cheddar daisy wheels you’ll find in the shop. The Cheese Making Schedule featured on the website lets you see the best time to plan your visit. The viewing room lets you see exactly what goes into cheese making.
Yelp / John F.
Obviously you’ll walk away with A LOT of cheese when you visit the shop. But you can also snag cheese bricks, cheese logs, hoop cheese, cheddar wheels, specialty cheese, butter, jams, jellies, preserves, fudge, souvenirs, and gift boxes to sample a bit of everything.
You know what cheese goes great on? A sandwich…and in these amazing North Carolina sandwiches, cheese is sometimes the centerpiece that brings it all together.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
