Award-Winning Goat's & Cow's Milk Cheeses
At Stepladder Ranch & Creamery we take pride in every aspect of our cheesemaking operation from making sure the goats are well taken care of, using state-of-the-art equipment in the creamery and lots (and lots) of taste testing for quality and freshness. Our cheeses are made in small batches with farmstead goat's milk and local cow's milk by a dedicated and passionate team of cheese lovers.
See below for a list of our year-round and seasonal releases. Cheeses are available online and at select farmer's markets in the Bay Area, Central Coast, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Click the link to purchase cheeses online and get pairing suggestions, ingredients, etc.
Note: all cheeses should be refridgerated for storage and removed 20 minutes before consumption.
Ragged Point
Ragged Point is a small format bloomy rind triple crème cow’s milk cheese named for the gateway to Big Sur just North of our farmstead.
We were honored to be selected as a finalist at the Good Food Awards and took home 3rd Place at the American Cheese Society in the Triple Cream category with this little button.
Available Year Round; ~3.5 oz size
Note: triple crème rinds contain Penicillium candidum // made with animal rennet
Big Sur
Big Sur is a small format bloomy rind, ash coated, triple crème mixed cow and goat milk cheese named for the iconic coastline where we are located.
The vegetable ash adds a visual distinction from our Ragged Point and also helps maintain the rind pH.
Seasonal Release-Currently Available ~3.5 oz size
Note: triple crème rinds contain Penicillium candidum // made with animal rennet
Chèvre
Our delicious, mild and creamy fresh Chèvre is the ultimate representation of spring cheesemaking. Making its way from our milking parlor to your plate in less than one week, this soft white cheese speaks freshness.
Seasonal Release-Currently Unavailable ~6oz container
Rocky Butte
Rocky Butte is a washed curd cheese aged at least six months made from 100% farmstead goat milk. Named for the granite pluton that marks the end of the Santa Lucia range visible from our creamery, it is a very mild cheese with a creamy paste.
Rocky Butte received Bronze at the 2023 American Cheese Society (ACS) awards competition in the Farmstead Goat's Milk category.
Seasonal Release-Currently Available; ~8oz size
Cabrillo
Cabrillo is our Manchego/Spanish style cheese created from a blend of goat and cow milk named for the iconic Highway One that runs along the rugged California coastline minutes from our farmstead. Cabrillo is a cheese we make predominantly in the fall as our goats’ production wanes and their milk takes on a stronger character. Available Year Round; ~4 and ~8oz sizes
Cabrillo Reserve is our extra-aged version of Cabrillo. It's typically aged for 12+ months and has a more robust flavor. It won Best of California at the 2023 California State Fair competition. Available for a limited time; 8oz size
Lumberjack
LumberJack is our take on an iconic American Original: cave aged Monterey Jack. Made with fresh cow's milk and aged for at least 60 days in our caves, LumberJack is the perfect everyday eater or melting cheese.
Available Year Round: ~4 and ~8oz sizes
Fromage Blanc
Used like cream cheese, Fromage Blanc is a staple of the French diet. Often referred to as the French answer to yogurt or cream cheese, Fromage Blanc is a cheese made from fresh, soft curds that have been slightly drained of whey. It has the tangy lactic flavor of cow milk without the goaty twang of our fresh Chevre.
Limited Release-Currently Unavailable; ~6oz container
Marinated Fromage Blanc
Fresh, lactic cow's milk cheese packed full of locally sourced olive oil, black peppercorns, bay leaf, and a chile. Olive oil is from Olea Farm in Templeton, CA, and the spices are from Oaktown Spice Shop in Oakland, CA. Store in the fridge; bring to room temp for serving so the oil can liquify.
Available Year Round; one size jar
Spicy Fromage Blanc
Spicy Fromage Blanc is a great snack or spread. It's filled with delicious Goat Horn Chile from our friends at Oaktown Spice Shop in addition to the chili paste, Sambal Oelek. The spice is balanced nicely by the fresh, creamery flavor of the cheese.
Available Year Round; ~6oz container
Everything Bagel Fromage Blanc
Our Everything Bagel Fromage Blanc is a perfect way to start your day. This blend of spices adds a delightful pepper-garlic-fennel-ness to our Everything Bagel Fromage Blanc with a touch of dill seed and smoky sea salt. Limited Release-Currently Unavailable; ~6oz container
Paso Vino
Our Paso Vino cheese is the true marriage of wine and cheese and is soaked in a bath of a local, aromatic Syrah after pressing and before aging. Available Year Round; ~4 and ~8oz sizes
Moonstone
Moonstone is a pasteurized, natural rind, hard cow’s milk cheese made from a 50/50 blend of Jersey and Holstein milk.
Available Year Round; ~4 and ~8oz sizes
Shop All Seasonal & Year-Round Products
Don't see your favorite Stepladder cheese listed above? Visit our Shop page to view all available cheeses and Cultured Butter for purchase.
Remember, we ship nationwide and offer free shipping in select West Coast states on orders over $65.
