Photo via Gootessa.com

As a sommelier and food educator, I’m always drawn to products that not only taste exceptional but also tell a story—one of craftsmanship, sustainability, and soul. That’s exactly what I found when I discovered Goot Essa—which fittingly means “Good Food” in Pennsylvania Dutch—a family-operated creamery preserving Old-World techniques and rural farm traditions.

Goot Essa cheeses are crafted with milk from their own herds and partner Amish farms, all grass-fed and hormone-free. Aged in natural underground caves, each wheel offers nuanced textures and flavors that celebrate the land and the people behind them.

Highlighted Cheeses & Perfect Pairings

Marn Vom Berge + Red Burgundy or New York Cabernet Franc

This ash-ripened star features a creamy center encased in delicate ash. Tasting notes: salted butter–brie with tangy cream and mild earthy, mushroom finish. Pair it with a Red Burgundy to elevate its elegance and earthiness, or try a Cabernet Franc from the Finger Lakes to highlight its creamy richness and spicy layers.

Der Alpen Cheese + Albariño

This Alpine-style, firm cow’s milk cheese is smooth, nutty, and slightly grassy. Paired with a crisp Albariño, the wine’s acidity brightens the cheese’s savory tones while enhancing its subtle fruitiness.

Felsa Yehr + White Rioja

Resembling Manchego, this semi-hard cheese offers nuttiness, savory depth, and a touch of grassiness. A glass of oak-aged White Rioja delivers herbal and mineral notes that beautifully mirror the cheese’s creamy crumbly texture.

Der Elder Blue Cheese + Beaujolais or California Rosé

This balanced blue—Stilton-style, but not overpowering—shines in both savory and fresh contexts. It’s excellent with a fruity Beaujolais, or paired with Brochelle Rosé (still, dry, from Paso Robles), whose crisp strawberry and stone fruit notes heighten the cheese’s creamy richness .

Der Gouda – Your Everyday Cheese Board Star

With its smooth, buttery personality, this Gouda-style cheese is approachable yet indulgent—an ideal everyday snack.

Garden Pepper Cheddar + Finger Lakes Riesling

Bold and peppery, this cheddar begs for a grilled cheese sandwich topped with Goot Essa’s sweet jam. For a match that balances the bite, try a refreshing Finger Lakes Riesling, such as Fox Run’s 2023 Dry Riesling—a citrus-and-apple-driven wine with crisp mineral notes.

The Goot Essa Difference

  • Craftsmanship & Tradition: Small-batch, cave-aged cheeses made with meticulous care.

  • Farm & Family Focus: Grass-fed cooperative model preserving rural family farming.

  • Versatility in Pairings: Cheeses designed to complement everything from casual comfort food to elevated wine selections.

Whether you’re crafting an elegant cheese board, assembling the ultimate grilled cheese, or building a burger that stands out, Goot Essa has a wedge for every occasion. Their cheeses honor tradition, amplify flavor, and express a heartfelt commitment to family and community. Explore their full lineup at Goot Essa—you’ll discover flavor, character, and possibility in every bite.

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!