Handeck

Located just minutes from downtown Woodstock, Gunn\’s Hill Artisan Cheese is an award-winning fromagerie nestled within the rolling hills of Oxford County, Ontario. Oxford Countyproudly callsitself the dairy capital of Canada,with cheese being produced there on an industrial scaledating back more than a century. This is due to the area\’s rich local terroir, with its unique loamy soils, balanced amounts of rain, and contrasting hot and cold seasons all combining to create ideal conditions forfarming to flourish.

Gunn\’s Hill is the result of years of dreaming and planning by owner, operator and cheesemaker Shep Ysselstein. Shep\’s grandfather founded theneighbouring dairy farm, and his passion and talent was passed down to his grandchildren, leading Shepto honehis cheesemaking skills in both the US and Canada. It was his time spent abroad in the Swiss Alps, however, thatsaw him truly fall in love with the art of cheesemaking, returning back to the rich terroir of Oxford County to both honour the legacy of the land and make his own mark on the artisan cheese world.

Today, Gunn\’s Hill produces several different artisan cheeses inspired heavilyby the techniques and recipes Shep learned while overseas. Handeck is one such cheese, a handcrafted washed-rind named for the tiny swiss village\’Handegg\’ where he learned his craft.

Good quality cheese comes from good milk, and Shep believes that the very best comes from the neighbouringdairyfarm which is still run by his father and brother. It takes a massive 1500 litres of milk to make only 6 wheels of Handeck, which is handwashed in Beaus lager. It is then aged oncedar wood planks for up to twenty-four months, resulting in arustic, spotted brown rind and a firm, golden-hued paste. With very rich and complex flavors and nutty overtones,Handeckwon best Farmstead Cheese at the 2015 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix andpairs well with red wines such as Pinot Noir and also dark roasted beers.

Cow\’s Milk
Ontario
Pasteurized