Cave-Aged Affinage Cheeses

Through a collaborative effort with other master cheesemakers, Caves of Faribault also offers a unique line of affinage items. By definition, affinage is the ancient art of aging, or maturing cheese. These cheeses travel to our legendary sandstone caves where the natural environment enhances their flavors and brings them to fruition. Our skillfully trained affinage team then provides the meticulous care that facilitates the aging process, bringing forth a cheese that can only be produced in the most perfect conditions.

Explore our affinage cheese selections below.

Cherubic Heavenly Young Gouda

My Personality

I’m angelic, with a smooth and versatile side.

Made in Wisconsin with a brief affinage period in the sandstone caves of Faribault, Minnesota, this Gouda’s flavor profile is bred for versatility and exhibits a pungent, buttery flavor. Not only is it easy to snack on, but it’s the perfect table cheese for sandwiches and more.

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St. Helga’s European Swiss

My Personality

I’m a wide-eyed refined traveler.

This semi-hard, Wisconsin Swiss is crafted in a European style to achieve a complex, full-bodied flavor. Its larger eyes and pronounced nutty tones differentiate it from traditional Swiss. After being crafted in Wisconsin, it travels to Faribault where cave-aging brings it to maturation. It’s a delightful combination of Norwegian heritage, Wisconsin-made pride and affinage beauty within Minnesota’s sandstone caves.

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Jeffs’ Select Gouda

My Personality

I’m sweet and refined, but with a nutty side.

Jeffs’ Select is aged in the warm, high-humidity environment of Faribault’s sandstone caves displaying full-bodied taste with a classic European nuttiness and caramel notes. Initially sharp, it melts in your mouth and finishes creamy.

Retired

St. Mary’s® Grass-Fed Gouda

My Personality

I’m caring and full of warmth and wisdom.

This subtle, but complex, grass-fed Wisconsin Gouda derives its namesake from a local landmark, St. Mary’s chapel, under which the caves sprawl. This cheese responds beautifully to cave curing, developing a smooth, buttery texture with a definite hint of caramel.

Retired

Fini Cheddar

My Personality

I’m sharp and aging gracefully — I’ve been around the block.

This Wisconsin-made cheese, crafted by Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® Jeff Wideman at Maple Leaf Cheese, undergoes two years of conventional aging. Its final affinage in the Caves of Faribault is what gives it its extraordinary flavor. The caves provide an ideal environment of temperature and humidity conditions for this Cheddar, coaxing out its floral nuances and accentuating its sharpness — one can even detect a hint of sulfides. Pair this cheese with butter crackers, nuts or dried fruit.

Retired