Oma Cheese

Oma is a washed-rind, semi-soft cheese that beautifully captures the rustic elegance of Vermont’s von Trapp Farmstead. Made with certified organic cow’s milk, Oma is aged for 60–90 days at the Cellars at Jasper Hill, where its brine-washed rind develops a balanced, approachable pungency. The flavor is both savory and sweet, with notes of browned butter, roasted nuts, and cured bacon, while the pudding-like texture melts luxuriously on the palate. Closer to the rind, the cheese takes on a nutty, earthy depth reminiscent of freshly shelled peanuts, making it an excellent match for bold accompaniments like fig jam or tangy pickles.

This cheese is a tribute to Sebastian von Trapp’s grandmother, Erika (“Oma”), and was the first cheese he developed after honing his craft at Jasper Hill. The von Trapp family—yes, of The Sound of Music fame—has farmed their Waitsfield, Vermont land since the 1950s. In 2009, the family added a creamery to transform their herd’s organic milk into artisan cheese. Their Jersey cows graze on lush pastures and follow a regenerative farming model, resulting in rich, flavorful milk that shines through in every wheel of Oma.

• Pairings: Belgian-style dubbel ales, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, barrel-aged cider