Rocky Butte
Nutty, Earthy, Sweet | Goat Milk | Gouda | Vegetarian | Age: 6 Months
Rocky Butte is a washed-curd goat milk cheese aged for 6 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 pairs well with full bodied red wines, Spec, and dried cherries.
We received Bronze at the 2023 American Cheese Society (ACS) awards competition in the Farmstead category for this cheese.
DETAILS:
- Aged 6 months
- Goat's milk
- Vegetarian Rennet
Limited Release. Only available online in ~8oz. size.
Note: Since everything is cut by hand there is some variation expected in sizes and is representative of the artisan nature of cheesemaking.
All Natural Practices
Sustainable Farming
Tasting Notes
Rocky Butte is a semi-firm, farmstead goat Gouda aged to perfection for six months. It's grassy, earthy, nutty, and sweet with a balanced flavor. Enjoy its creamy texture with figs and Prosciutto. Perfectly paired with Chenin or Viognier, this mild cheese delights the palate with every bite.
Style - Gouda
Milk Source - Goat Milk
Age - 6 months
Rennet - Vegetarian
Cheese Characteristics
Texture
Soft
Firm
Approachable
Adventurous
1
10
Mild
Sharp
1
10
Spreadable
Grateable
1
10
Beverage Pairings
Chenin/Viognier
Charcuterie Pairings
Figs
Prosciutto
Awards
Bronze: American Cheese Society 2023
Special Notes
Our farmstead Goat Gouda aged to perfection.
Meet the Creamery
Owners
MICHELLE & JACK RUDOLPH
Stepladder Creamery isn't simply another cheese company—it represents the heartfelt journey of Jack and Michelle Rudolph, who took a huge risk to transition from careers in tech and event planning to pursue a love of cheesemaking that began in the confines of Jack’s apartment.
Their shared enthusiasm for cheesemaking and sustainable agriculture has revitalized Jack's grandfather's 150-year-old historic ranch, turning it into a stronghold for handcrafted quality and environmentally responsible farming.
Jack and Michelle stand for embracing a narrative of love, commitment, and innovation. By treating their goats like family and enhancing the land through increased biodiversity, Jack and Michelle invite you to join a movement where artisanal craftmanship prevails.
More than just cheesemakers, the Rudolphs are profoundly committed to the well-being of their team, their animals, and the support of similar small businesses and makers. Each piece of Stepladder cheese embodies the Rudolphs' unwavering dedication to perfecting their craft.
Meet the Creamery Owners
Michelle & Jack Rudolph
Jack and Michelle stand for embracing a narrative of love, commitment, and innovation. By treating their goats like family and enhancing the land through increased biodiversity, Jack and Michelle invite you to join a movement where artisanal craftmanship prevails.
More than just cheesemakers, the Rudolphs are profoundly committed to the well-being of their team, their animals, and the support of similar small businesses and makers. Each piece of Stepladder cheese embodies the Rudolphs' unwavering dedication to perfecting their craft.
Stepladder Creamery isn't simply another cheese company—it represents the heartfelt journey of Jack and Michelle Rudolph, who took a huge risk to transition from careers in tech and event planning to pursue a love of cheesemaking that began in the confines of Jack’s apartment.
Their shared enthusiasm for cheesemaking and sustainable agriculture has revitalized Jack's grandfather's 150-year-old historic ranch, turning it into a stronghold for handcrafted quality and environmentally responsible farming.
Sustainable from Start to End
STEPLADDER CREAMERY
Being a sustainable ranch and creamery is non-negotiable for us. We love where we live and work, and want to keep it just as beautiful as when we got here.
How do we stay sustainable?
Solar-Power
A 50KW solar array on the farm produces roughly 90 percent of the energy we use
Water Catchments
We rely on spring water and a large rain catchment refreshed by the annual rain as our main source
Circular Waste-Reduction
We utilize the manure from the goats to fertilize our orchards, and free-roaming Stepladder piggies receive the spent whey from the creamery and get to eat any unsellable harvested fruit and veg.
The Happiest Goats in the USA
As a farmstead creamery, we raise our goats on the farm and make cheese from their milk, which allows us to manage every aspect of the Stepladder cheese production.
With every passing season, our herd has grown, as has the variety of both goat and cow’s milk cheeses we now produce in our creamery.
Our herd of 40 goats consists of registered LaManchas (the only breed of goats developed in the United States), and they happily graze on three acres of open pasture!
Experience award winning small batch cheese from farmstead goats and local cow milk
Every bite is a testament to our cared-for animals and state-of-the-art techniques that delivers exceptional quality and freshness to your palate.
Small batch cheese from
farmstead goat and local cow milk
Every bite is a testament to our cared-for animals and state-of-the-art techniques that delivers exceptional quality and freshness to your palate.