Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Walk
Sign up below to join the Cheese Walk Trail! Check-in when you arrive at participating locations, and earn 10 points per check-in. Earn a minimum of 80 points to claim a prize bag at the Collegiate Service Counter of The University Book Store's State Street Location. Prizes are limited and while supplies last—claim yours by Sunday, October 26th at 5pm.
This event is sponsored by Target and produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Department of Parent and Family Porgrams Family Weekend . The event is designed to offer a unique way for families and incoming UW students to explore downtown retail and service businesses.
Attendance is limited to Family Weekend attendees.
In partnership with Target and Fromagination, businesses in the district will offer unique cheese samples to attendees as they explore Downtown Madison.
Event Date:
Saturday, October 25th
1:00-4:00pm
Ending Location:
Fromagination
12 S Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703
Fromagination an internationally-known specialty cheese shop, located on the Capital Square, will have all the samples available for one final tasting.
Cheese Sampling Locations & Wisconsin Cheese Varieties
View the map for this year's event:
List of Locations & Cheeses
1 – University Book Store
711 State St.
Roth Dill Havarti
Roth Cheese – Fitchburg, WI
Flavor: Buttery, creamy, with fresh dill
Pairing: Crisp cucumber slices + chilled Riesling
Mood: Fresh, herbaceous, and literary
2 – Target
610 State St.
Assorted Classic Cheeses: Mild Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella & Hickory-Smoked Cheddar
Good & Gather – Various locations
Flavor: A crowd-pleasing mix ranging from creamy and mellow to lightly smoky and peppery
Pairing: Buttery crackers + light lager
Mood: Familiar, fun, and easygoing
3 – Art Gecko
510 State St.
Roth French Onion Havarti
Roth Cheese – Fitchburg, WI
Flavor: Toasted onion, garlic, and chives
Pairing: Pretzel crisps + amber ale
Mood: Funky, flavorful, and eclectic
4 – Hawks Bar and Grill
425 State St.
Sartori Tomato Basil BellaVitano
Meister Cheese – Muscoda, WI
Flavor: Earthy mushrooms, sweet leeks
Pairing: Rustic baguette + mushroom tea or Pinot Noir
Mood: Woodsy welcome with a Wisconsin twist
5 – Downtown Visitors Center
452 State St.
Meister Morel & Leek Jack
Meister Cheese – Muscoda, WI
Flavor: Earthy mushrooms, sweet leeks
Pairing: Rustic baguette + mushroom tea or Pinot Noir
Mood: Woodsy welcome with a Wisconsin twist
6 – Metric Forrest Studio
330 State St.
Marieke Honey Clover Gouda
Marieke Gouda – Thorp, WI
Flavor: Sweet clover, creamy texture
Pairing: Walnuts + chamomile tea
Mood: Gentle, floral, and artistic
7 – The Soap Opera
319 State St.
Marieke Fenugreek Gouda
Marieke Gouda – Thorp, WI
Flavor: Maple-syrup sweetness, nutty finish
Pairing: Apple slices + sparkling cider
Mood: Sweet, aromatic, and indulgent
8 – Parthenon Gyros
316 State St.
Hook’s Triple Play Extra Innings
Hook’s Cheese – Mineral Point, WI
Flavor: Cow, goat, sheep blend; nutty and grassy
Pairing: Olive tapenade + dry rosé
Mood: Mediterranean meets Midwest
9 – Zodica Perfumery
133 W Johnson St.
Mister Cheese Bruschetta Jack
Meister Cheese – Muscoda, WI
Flavor: Robust tomato with accents of garlic, basil, and parsley
Pairing: Roasted red peppers + Chianti
Mood: Savory, zesty, Mediterranean comfort
10 – Fontana Sports
216 N. Henry St.
Deer Creek Rattlesnake
Deer Creek Cheese – Sheboygan, WI
Flavor: Tequila and habanero heat
Pairing: Tortilla chips + chilled lager
Mood: Adventurous, spicy, and wild
11 – Little Luxuries
230 State St.
Hook’s Bang Bang Triple Play
Hook’s Cheese – Mineral Point, WI
Flavor: Spicy blend of cayenne, jalapeño, black pepper
Pairing: Honey drizzle + pale ale
Mood: Playful, punchy, and giftable
12 – Sencha Tea Bar
224 State St.
Roelli Little Mountain
Roelli Cheese Haus – Shullsburg, WI
Flavor: Alpine-style, nutty and grassy
Pairing: Green tea + dried apricots
Mood: Tranquil, refined, and contemplative
13 – Wisconsin Veterans Museum
30 W. Mifflin St.
Roelli Red Rock
Roelli Cheese Haus – Shullsburg, WI
Flavor: Cheddar with blue veining
Pairing: Smoked almonds + bourbon
Mood: Bold, balanced, and historic
14 – The Post (inside the Park Hotel)
22 S Carroll St.
Deer Creek The Doe
Deer Creek Cheese – Sheboygan, WI
Flavor: Infused with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean. Creamy, velvety, savory with a woody finish. Sweet and salty notes.
Pairing: Dried fruits + sparkling wine
Mood: Sweet, sultry, and sophisticated
15 – Fromagination
12 S. Carroll St.
Upland Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Uplands Cheese – Dodgeville, WI
Flavor: Alpine-style, savory, fruity, aged
Pairing: Marcona almonds + Chardonnay
Mood: Celebratory, complex, and iconic
Special thanks to Ken and the cheesemongers at Fromagination for preparing all the cheese and to Target for sponsoring this event.