facebooktwitterpinterest

Reviews, get directions and information for Door County Creamery

Door County Creamery

About

Handmade Small Batch Artisan Cheese Produced From Our Local Herd, Serving fresh Sandwiches, Handmade Gelato, Soaps, Charcuterie, Wine and Beer.

Story

Love. Local. Cheese. This sentiment accurately expresses Door County Creamery’s aesthetics and inspired owner Jesse Johnson to open a store dedicated to humble goats milk. While in France honing his culinary chops, Johnson fell in love with goat cheese and the European philosophy emphasizing fresh and simply prepared food. Inside the recently-opened Creamery, ‘fresh and simple’ can be seen in the Door County, Wisconsin produce kept in the restaurant’s glass cases: just-picked cherry tomatoes, ruby strawberries, leafy romaine, and the Jesse’s delicate, soft chèvre.

Jesse began his journey towards the Creamery many years ago. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he apprenticed at Babcock Diary, famous for their delicious Wisconsin ice cream, and Dream Farm, nearby in Cross Plains. Afterwards, Johnson attended culinary school in Colorado, followed by a period of culinary training in France. The experiences brought Johnson back home to Sister Bay where his father, J.J., operates J.J.’s/LaPuerta and Waterfront, and where Jesse initially learned to prepare food. One evening at home with Rachel, they decided they wanted to raise goats to produce Door County chèvre.

This decision started the Johnsons on a several year plan “to make a dream come true.” Jesse needed to obtain a Wisconsin Cheesemaker’s license in a state that has some of the most stringent qualifications in the nation. Besides the certification, the Johnsons began raising a herd of goats on a farm about a mile out of Sister Bay — goats need to mature before producing milk. The process also provided Jesse with testing time, to decide which type of chèvre to produce.

The buttery cheese made from goat’s milk tastes airy and light on the tongue, especially when spread on the Creamery’s toasty crostini, available in small bags on the front counter. Behind every container of fresh chevre, hard work and perseverance were essential ingredients. While Jesse churns the cheese on the Creamery premises, Rachael, with some hired help, raises the goats that produce the milk on a farm located just outside downtown Sister Bay. The farm, with a substantial herd of goats, represents the other half of the Johnsons’ dream, completely invisible to the customer, when someone enjoys the Creamery’s chèvre or goat’s milk gelato.

Presently, they add goat’s milk from a Sturgeon Bay farm to produce enough cheese for their unique chèvre and the specialty varieties Jesse eventually plans to create: Wild Ramp, Valencay covered with an ash rind, hand tomes, and a baked juristelipia. The Creamery also serves daily sandwich specials, seasonal produce, baked breads, and hand-made gelato from goat’s milk with added cow’s cream. Light, thin crostini, or toasted bread crisps, can also be purchased to eat with the cheese, although fruit and chèvre were equally tempting.


Goats Milk Soap
Rachel also makes goat’s milk soap fragranced with local herbs. Goat’s milk soap has a PH balance closest to the human skin, and can be soothing for those with sensitive complexions. In the store, her hand-cut soaps are tied with twine. A soap scented with lemongrass has been popular for its gentle and natural qualities. Customers have returned to buy more soap, saying that their child’s skin problems have benefited from the goat milk formula.

The Johnsons began raising their goats about two years ago. This year they have a herd of 40 all individually named which they plan on increasing to about 70 or 80.

The Johnsons care for their animals year-round. Rachael noted that the goats need milking twice a day, at 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., in addition to feedings twice a day. Otherwise, the herd grazes on alfalfa and hay in the pasture. While the old adage says that goats “eat anything,” Rachael says it’s not true. Goats can be very picky, and if the desired milk will be used to make cheese, the quality of their food determines the quality of the cheese.

Besides feeding and milking, each goat needs their hooves clipped, their pen cleaned, and regular check-ups for signs of illness. Since goats exhibit distinct personalities, individual animals can be curious, shy, active or robust. While some goats are healthier than others, and able to withstand any fluctuation in farm habits, others might be fragile and find themselves under the weather at the least change in temperature. Jesse and Rachael have self-educated themselves on goat health, saving on veterinarian bills, an important feature of raising goats. Imagine the medical bills for raising 40 children!

Surviving 18-hour days, manning the farm, overseeing the restaurant, are all a testament to a faithful routine, hard work and the love the Johnsons put into every batch of chèvre and gelato. As a result, more and more Door County, Wisconsin residents and visitors have come to Love.Local.Cheese!

Address: 10653 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234, USA
Phone: (920) 854-3388
moc.yremaercytnuocrood@ofni
State: Wisconsin
County: Door County
Zip Code: 54234



related searches: Door County cheese, Door County restaurants, Creamery eats, Goat milk ice cream Door County, Wild Tomato Door County, Door County Swedish, Wickman house, Best pizza in Door County
Similar places near
Door County Confectionary Door County Confectionary 25 miles Always had good food.
Pipka's of Door County Pipka's of Door County 74 miles Great to look around! So much to see. One of those places you remember long after. At...
On Deck Clothing Co On Deck Clothing Co 78 miles Lots of name brand clothing - high end. Great to look at. I got a great tshirt here ...
Twisted Tree Door County Twisted Tree Door County 280 miles I worked in retail for 28 years and I can say the owner of this store and her staff a...
Tea Thyme in Door County Tea Thyme in Door County 292 miles Updated: My daughter had her 5th birthday here and it was fabulous! The menu was deli...
Hammersmith TV & Electronics of Door County / former Radio Shack Hammersmith TV & Electronics of Door County ... 2 km When you need to find that random tech part!
Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Shoppe Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Sho... 2 km Best ice cream ANY where! All made in site. Chambers island fudge can't be beat. GOO...
Tannenbaum Holiday Shop Tannenbaum Holiday Shop 2 km I started my glass ornaments collection while on our honeymoon with a trip to the Tan...
Door County Rock and Gem Door County Rock and Gem 3 km SO many beautiful and interesting things to look at and purchase in ALL price ranges....
Door County Bakery, LLC Door County Bakery, LLC 3 km The Door County Bakery is an excellent bakery, restaurant, and a gem of Door County. ...
Rusty Rabbit Shop Rusty Rabbit Shop 4 km Cute mom and pop store and the owners are always so nice and helpful. I always find s...
Koepsel's Farm Market Koepsel's Farm Market 5 km I LOVE this place. Wouldn't miss a trip there anytime I head for Door Co WI. Fabulo...
Hat Head Hat Head 12 km The food was good but the guy with the ponytail at the window was a jerk.
On Deck Clothing Outlet Store On Deck Clothing Outlet Store 12 km Great brands and helpful employees. If they don't have your size, they will call thei...
Door County Sisters' Sweets Door County Sisters' Sweets 12 km Absolutely fantastic sweets. A total must go! The nicest people you've ever met with ...
Reviews
Door County Creamery is one of the best little one stop shops for cheese, ice cream, dips, and cream cheeses. They have an assortment of wine and beer as well. Overall you won't be displeased, go in and try what they have to offer. I discovered a local cider company when going here.
8 years ago (29-11-2017)
Do not miss the farm tour!! Even if you don't like goat milk try the gelato. Seriously the best I've ever had!! I would make the trek back just to eat here again - lunch was amazing, and is included with the farm tour, so worth it!
8 years ago (02-10-2017)
Our guide and the goats were great. The products sold here are also delicious. The owner, however, was rude and passive aggressive throughout the tour. She was stingy with samples (scolding a man for asking for a second piece of cheddar and skipping my son when coming around with samples). It was very disheartening given the price of the tour and what could have otherwise been a good experience. I would not recommend the tour but maybe to buy some of their products.
8 years ago (08-10-2017)
This little spot has THE BEST SANDWICHES. EVER. REALLY! The folks were friendly, the beer and wine were very good, the cheese was wonderful, but the sandwiches really were amazing! This was definitely a family favorite during out recent trip.
8 years ago (20-08-2017)
More than just ice cream! Food portions are large and delicious. The ice cream is untraditional, with flavors like yogurt and berries, tiramisu, olive oil and sea salt, and strawberry sorbet to name a few. The ice cream was delicious. The cashier was as cold as the ice cream but the shop was inviting. Cheese samples to try as well.
8 years ago (04-10-2017)
Comment on this business

to add Door County Creamery map to your website;