|
Florida's First Raw Milk Cheesemaker
Est. 2008
Tours and farm retail sales are not available
Winter Park Dairy is the first USDA/State of Florida licensed raw milk cheese plant and is the pioneer in producing 100% natural raw milk artisan cheese. It is also the smallest, least mechanized and most urban. The raw milk cheesemaking process means that pasteurizers are not used to heat and destroy the integrity of the milk. Our signature cheese “Bleu Sunshine” is handcrafted and fully aged in only 60 days. It is the only raw milk product that can legally be purchased. Produced in small wheels, "Bleu Sunshine" ages to perfection quickly and maintains the closest possible connection to the cow and farm. Fresh From Florida means just that – Fresh.
Because our cheese is hand-made, there will be variations in color, flavor and texture from one batch to another or even between wheels from the same batch. These variations serve to emphasize the unique nature of the product, but have no effect on the quality. The cheese is cut by hand and package sizes will vary slightly from one package to another.
The cheese is made in a traditional hot water heated vat imported from Holland. The temperature is slowly increased from 45 to 90 degrees F. No Hotter. Gently agitated by hand, the fresh raw milk undergoes the 3000 year old tradition of becoming cheese. Really fresh and natural cheese from Farm to Table.
Our Cheese
“Bleu Sunshine” – The original raw milk artisan cheese of Florida. Handcrafted in 5 lb wheels, this natural rind blue vein cheese superbly balances the complexities inherent with raw milk cheese. Un-cooked, un-pressed and aged greater than 60 days, the imported French cultures used in it’s production impart a mild, nutty taste and creamy texture.
“Florida Tomme” – Our regionally distinct raw milk Tomme is a pressed alpine style semi-hard cheese with a robust Parmesan flavor. The wheels have a delicious basket weave pattern rind and is prepared in 3.5 pound wheels. It is versatile in numerous dishes seeking an Italian influence.
“Black & Bleu” - America’s first cracked roasted peppercorn infused blue vein cheese. New in 2011, the inaugural batches have proven very popular with restaurants serving prime beef entrees. The recipe was handed down to us by a retired American cheesemaker who spent 17 years learning the process and crafting it at an organic dairy in India.
"Florida Cheddar" - An American classic uniquely wearing our delicious natural rind. Aged in 4 lb wheels with a basket weave pattern. Easily sliced or grated with flavorful nutty overtones.
*All have a natural edible rind which significantly minimizes preparation waste
Packaging Specifications
Case Size
22.75” L x 7.75” W x 5.75” H
Case Weight
15-18 Lbs Random Weight (Bleu Sunshine, Black & Bleu, Florida Cheddar)
14-16 Lbs Randomt Weight (Florida Tomme)
Pallet
48 Cases = 150 Wheels
960 lbs Bleu or 800 lbs Tomme
Farm History
The Green family has farmed the land surrounding spring fed Lake Florence for 4 generations. Citrus was king and the Green groves produced oranges, tangerines and grapefruit for over a century until the back to back freezes of 1983 and 1985 laid permanent waste to the fruit and trees. So that the farm could continue to produce fresh food for the community and a living for the family, David Green and Dawn Taylor-Green started Winter Park Farm in 2001 to breed and raise Angus cattle. That’s how they became acquainted with the Cow. The Cow is an extremely cool animal. As such, it seemed a dreadful shame that their only destiny was to be fattened and slaughtered by the age of three. The short meaningless life of a Beef Cow. Not our kind of farming.
Dairy Cows. Being a Dairy Cow is the way to go. You have human servants - “Farmers” – attending to your every need, every day. They feed you all natural grains, hay and pure water to your heart’s content. You, in turn, produce five gallons of fresh butterfat rich milk every day. Working together in harmony under the Florida sun to create the Sunshine State’s only raw milk artisanal cheese, all thrive. Grazing on green lakefront pasture year-round, a Dairy Cow’s life is an eternal Spa visit. And they get to live a good long time to enjoy it. Our kind of farming. Winter Park Dairy was born.
|