Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

An Update from the Caves of Faribault Team

January 12 2022

In 2001, Jeff Jirik revitalized cheesemaking in our sandstone caves in Faribault, MN.  Just like the original founder and cheesemaker, Felix Frederiksen, Jirik knew the importance of continuing the tradition of handcrafting and cave-aging cheese in these legendary sandstone caves.  He concentrated on making award-winning Blue cheese, yet always knew that these caves had extraordinary potential for aging cheese.  In 2009, he began collaborating with his friends in cheese to create a one-of-a-kind affinage program.  This affinage program has been wildly successful, thanks to our affinage team, our sandstone caves, our partners and the support of the artisan cheese community.

 

While a bittersweet moment, today we announce the retirement of Jeffs’ Select Gouda, St. Mary’s Gouda and Fini Cheddar.  We are thankful for the opportunity to have shared these cheeses with you over the years.  We hope that they brought you as much joy as they brought us and that you’ll celebrate their retirement alongside the Caves of Faribault team.

 

The foundation of the Caves of Faribault is to stay as authentic to our roots as possible, handcrafting and cave-aging cheese in our unique caves.  We take pride in the quality products we produce and in the endless creativity that our team exudes.  It is because of this creativity, along with a passion for making world-class cheese, that our team is moving forward developing new products to introduce to our Affinage line.  As our new cheeses mature, developing their ideal flavor and textures, remember all great things take time.  Cave-aged cheese is no exception to the rule.  While we all patiently await the arrival of these new products, now is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with old friends like AmaBlu and AmaGorg, or try our newest Blue, Felix.

 

We look forward to continuing the tradition of cave-aging at the Caves of Faribault.  We cannot wait to share our new cheeses with you!

 

Cheers & Cheese,

The Caves of Faribault Team

Jeffs' Select Gouda

St. Mary's Grass-fed Gouda

Fini Sharp Cheddar