Our story
We're Jack & Michelle Rudolph 👋
As stewards of a century-old California legacy, we believe the best cheese comes from a deep connection to the land and the animals.
Rooted in the Central Coast
A Century of Heritage
Stepladder Ranch has been part of Jack’s family for three generations. He grew up wandering the avocado orchards his grandparents planted that we still care for today. Today, we’re keeping that history alive, one acre at a time.
The Scrappy Early Days
From Spare Bedroom to Creamery
Our cheesemaking journey didn't start in a fancy facility; it started in a home kitchen. Jack was obsessed with the "microbial magic" of fermentation, eventually evolving into acquiring a few goats and two freezers rigged with humidistats in a spare bedroom. It was a "learn by doing" era full of trial, error that laid the groundwork for our award-winning cheeses.
Jack & Michelle meet
Two Hearts, One Herd
We met the modern way (on Match.com), but our shared future was built on the oldest traditions. For our first date, Jack arrived with a side of fresh chèvre.
Michelle is a lifelong animal lover who spent her childhood "collecting critters" and adventuring outdoors. After meeting Jack, she quickly swapped her city shoes for farm boots, taking over half the milking shifts and helped transform Jack’s project into a true family business.
Ten Years of Crafting Excellence
From Our Table to Yours
We’re proud to have spent the last decade perfecting our craft to create award-winning cheeses. Explore all our cheeses and butter.