With perfection ever in its sights, LaClare Creamery is celebrating another testament to its commitment in Cheesemaker Rob Graves. Recently honored with achieving his Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker title in Chevre, Graves has been named one of the 2025 graduates of the prestigious Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® Program, with his chèvre distinction being a rare one in the program.
“To even start the program, you must have a Wisconsin Cheesemaker license for 10 years and have been making the variety of cheese you're mastering in for five years,” Nola Krueger, Marketing Specialist, explained, giving context to the achievement.
In his own words, Rob shared not only the honor, but the message conveyed by such an accomplishment.
“I feel we have a reputation of making great cheese and this supports that. We're dedicated to making great products and introducing people to a cheese that there are many misconceptions about and showing them that it can be amazing,” he stated.
Looking toward the horizon, Rob sees nothing but an exciting road ahead for the company and the industry as chevre education and tastes expand.
“I would love to see this industry and LaClare grow. We're small compared to the cow market. I feel people will like the cheese if they give it a chance. It's also very versatile in how you can use it. I believe people continue to recognize this, which is why this industry continues to grow,” he concluded.
To graduate from the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program, applicants must be accepted to and commit to a nearly three-year-long timetable. An oral interview tests knowledge, followed by grading and testing by licensed cheese graders and certified laboratories of members’ cheese every year.
After this and more, a final tests all your knowledge of cheese and everything that goes into cheesemaking from the animal to the store.
“It takes over 40 hours to complete,” Nola sums up. Like Rob, she points to this accomplishment, further demonstrating an overall commitment to such standards. “We are dedicated to clean taste and extraordinary flavor, with freshness at the core. Whether it’s the creamy canvas of our chèvre infused with unique flavors or our robust hard cheeses, you’ll taste our commitment immediately.”
It is now wonder LaClare also won 1st Place in the Soft Goat Milk Cheeses category at this year’s U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, along with a 1st place in the same category at the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest.
Congratulations to Rob Graves and the team surrounding him on this latest accolade!
