Sartori Cheesemaker Wins Wisconsin State Fair 'Grand Champion' Award for 2nd Consecutive Year

PLYMOUTH, Wis., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Matucheski, Sartori artisan cheesemaker, was presented the "Grand Champion" award for the Rosemary and Olive Oil Asiago cheese at the prestigious Wisconsin State Fair Cheese and Butter Contest. This award was the culmination of a very successful competition as Sartori was presented seven additional medals in this year's contest. In 2009, Matucheski and Sartori won the Grand Champion for Sartori Reserve® Pastorale Blend®.

This is the first time in the fair's storied history that a cheesemaker has won in back-to-back years. "We are proud to have Mike and the entire Antigo cheesemaking team leading the way in making some of the finest cheese not only in Wisconsin, but in the world. Sartori has won nearly 70 cheese awards in the past 3 years around the globe as Wisconsin cheesemakers and Sartori have gained international respect," stated Sartori president Jeff Schwager.

Grand Champion Mike Matucheski has been making cheese in Antigo for 16 years and is no stranger to winning major awards. The Rosemary & Olive Oil Asiago creation is a part of the Sartori Reserve line – which along with the BellaVitano products, has been a driver for the company's significant growth over the past few years. "Mike is a very creative guy with a great eye and palette to match," says 3rd generation owner and CEO Jim Sartori. "Mike has a way of bringing out the best in our cheese, finding unique complementary flavors that make people sit back and say 'wow' when they taste the cheese."

When asked how he comes up with the concepts, Matucheski says, "It is really a combination of art and hard work. I try to bring out the true flavors inherent in the cheese. Too often when people 'flavor' cheese, the flavoring often dominates and overwhelms the cheese. I believe the enhancements to the cheese are just that – a subtle manner in which to highlight the wonderful taste that is already present. It takes a long time to find the perfect elements – the right imported olive oil, or fresh rosemary. I love what I do."

Sartori was awarded 7 additional medals at this year's competition including Gold Medals for the ultimate Grand Champion Rosemary & Olive Oil Asiago, Natural Rind Parmesan and the new Caprimenthe™ goat milk cheese. Silver Medals were awarded for the Basil & Olive Oil Asiago, and the Dolcina® Gorgonzola, with Bronze Medals for the mixed cow and sheep milk based Pastorale Blend® and for the Reserve Extra Aged Asiago.

Sartori's Rosemary & Olive Oil cheese as well as the entire Sartori Reserve line is available at most fine cheese shops and better grocery stores in Wisconsin and around the country.

About Sartori Foods

Sartori Foods has been producing artisan and premium cheese for over seven decades. Based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Sartori Foods has an impressive array of internationally acclaimed award winning cheese noted for innovative approaches and consistent top quality across their entire line. For more information, please visit www.sartorireserve.com or call us directly at 800-558-5888.

SOURCE Sartori Foods