Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Walk
This event is 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 the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Fromagination, businesses in the district will offer unique cheese samples to attendees as they explore Downtown Madison.
Event Date:
Saturday, October 19th
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 Three Chili Gouda
Cow’s Milk
Monroe, Wisconsin
A colorful trio of chipotle, habanero, and jalapeno peppers add a south-of-the-board twist to this award-winning cheese.
2 – Jewelers on State Street
550 State St.
Meister Bruschetta Jack
Cow’s Milk
Cheesemaker: Joe Meister
Muscoda, Wisconsin
A semi-soft Monterey Jack with mild tomato, garlic,
parsley, and basil flavors.
3 – Art Gecko
510 State St.
Marieke Fenugreek Gouda
Raw Cow’s Milk
Cheesemaker: Marieke Peterman
Thorp, Wisconsin
This cheese is made from Raw Cow's milk and is
reminiscent of maple syrup; this creamy Gouda has a
richness elevated by sweet notes. Paired with nutty
flavor notes.
4 – Facial Collective
426 W Gilman St.
Sartori MontAmore Cheddar
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Pam Hodgson
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Smooth White cheddar with a hint of parmesan. Sweet and savory, a crowd pleasure.
5 – Downtown Visitors Center
452 State St.
White Jasmine Tandoori Gouda
Cow’s Milk
Owner: Huma Siddique-Seitz
Madison, Wisconsin
Robust, flavor explosion featuring 13 different spices. Just the right amount of heat and depth of flavor to add a smoky, Pakistani flavor to any dish.
6 – Hawks Bar and Grill
425 State St.
Sartori Black Pepper BellaVitano
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Pam Hodgson
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Hand-rubbed to peppery perfection. Creamy, spicy, and everything nice in a cheese. The rind is meant to be eaten and is part of the tasting experience.
7 – Metric Forrest Studio
330 State St.
Roelli Cheese Haus Red Rock
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Chris Roelli
Schullsburg, Wisconsin
An American Original. A cave-aged cheddar with a hint of blue. Creamy cheddar with depth of flavor.
Red Rock is colored with twice the amount of annatto aged 3-8 months.
8 – The Soap Opera
319 State St.
Meister Morel Leek
Cow’s Milk
Cheesemaker: Joe Meister
Muscoda, Wisconsin
Semi-soft Monterey Jack is blended with wild, earthy morel mushrooms and delicately flavored leeks.
9 – Parthenon Gryos
316 State St.
La Clare Goat Feta
Goat’s Milk
Clinton, Wisconsin
Salty and tart with a crumbly texture. It develops sweet and tangy notes in the finish.
10 – Fontana Sports
216 N. Henry St.
Roth Dill Havarti
Cow’s Milk
Monroe, Wisconsin
Creamy texture, balanced flavor, and versatility. The dill enhances the flavor with depth, giving this
cheese has a savory finish.
11 – Little Luxuries
230 State St.
Deer Creek Nightwalker
Cow’s Milk
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Bathed in J.Henry Bourbon, Sweet, nutty cheddar, long butterscotch notes are enhanced by the warmth of the bourbon that unfolds while imparting a woodsy bouquet of sandalwood, vanilla cherry, and cinnamon.
12 – Sencha Tea Bar
224 State St.
Carr Valley Apple Smoked Cheddar
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Sid Cook
La Valle, Wisconsin
This cheddar is hand-rubbed with paprika, a handsome cheese for your cheese board. The cheddar is young, giving it a mild flavor as a pleasant
base for the sweet and smoky additions.
13 – Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St.
Hooks 5-Year Cheddar
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Tony Hooks
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Hook’s cheddar is wonderfully sharp but not too sharp and retains a hint of sweet and creamy flavors—Crumbly and a little smooth in texture. Hook’s 5-year cheddar perfectly balances over-the-top sharp and young and creamy.
14 – Wisconsin Veterans Museum
30 W. Mifflin St.
Sartori Merlot BellaVitano
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Pam Hodgson
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Creamy cheese hand-rubbed dipped merlot wine.
Delicious any time of day. The rind is meant to be eaten and is part of the tasting experience!
15 – Park Hotel
22 S Carroll St.
Marieke Hatch Pepper Gouda
Raw Cow’s Milk
Cheesemaker Marieke Penterman
Thorp, Wisconsin
A subtly sweet and crisp finish enhances creamy gouda cheese. The hatch papers give this cheese a mild chili pepper experience with a spicy essence.
16 – Boulders Climbing Gym
129 S. Carroll St,
Carr Valley Cranberry Chipotle
Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Sid Cook
Monroe, Wisconsin
This is a cheese for the adventurous palate. A slight
sweetness from the cranberries is counter-balanced with the smoky bite of the chipotle peppers.
17 – Fromagination
12 S. Carroll St.
Upland Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Raw Cow’s Milk
Master Cheesemaker: Andy Hatch
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Pleasant Ridge is the most-awarded cheese in American history, only made in the spring and summer months with raw milk. The sweetness from the grass-fed milk combines with the savory flavors developed by the cheese’s natural, washed rind. The resulting complexity—rich and salty, with a long, fruity finish.
Special thanks to Ken and the cheesemongers at Fromagination for preparing all the cheese and to Fromagination and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for co-sponsoring this event.