In business since 1989, Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy is the longest standing cheese company in Colorado. What started as a modest goat dairy farm by Jim Schott in Niwot, CO - with the real Haystack Mountain situated just north of the property - has grown tremendously over the last few decades. In 2005, as the cheese menu expanded, Haystack Mountain moved their creamery to Longmont, CO. 

 

 

What makes Haystack Mountain's goat cheese unique is their partnership with CCI or Colorado Correctional Industries. Located in Canon City, Skyline Correctional Facility provides all of the goat milk for Haystack Mountain's cheeses. The facility has approximately 1400 goats, a combination of La Macha and Nubian breeds that the inmates in the facility are responsible for.  The partnership is a win-win, benefitting both Haystack Mountain and the inmates of the correctional facility. The inmates develop the necessary skills to seek employment upon release and Haystack Mountain gets a consistent source of goat's milk that is produced ethically and efficiently. 
 

 

Once the goat's milk travels from Canon City to Longmont, the magic begins! Jackie Chang, cheese maker for Haystack Mountain combines a sense of adventure and patience when producing the cheese, all of which is handmade. Aiming to provide the freshest goat cheese possible, no additives, preservatives or artificial flavoring are ever added. All products are gluten free as well.

 

Variety is never lacking at Haystack Mountain! The cheeses come in raw, pasteurized, sliced, crumbled, pure goat or cow/goat hybrids. Their current selections include five Chevres with flavors like Dill and Garlic and Applewood Smoked. They carry a goat Feta, along with some award winning blends - "Wall Street Gold" and "Red Cloud," both raw milk cheeses. Check out their full product line here.

 

 

Newest to the scene, set to be released in November 2014, is the bloomy rind blend, "Bufala Soldier," a triple cream variety combining cow, goat and buffalo milk. Goat milk production tends to decrease in winter, which makes this cheese a great choice in the colder months, as it is a blend of the three. "Bufala Soldier," is described as having a dense structure, with a soft and fudgy texture. 

 

 

Haystack Mountain's goat cheese has garnered praise for decades and can now be found in various boutique cheese shops, fine dining restaurants and markets across the United States. Their high quality, bold flavored goat cheeses deserve a spot on your next cheeseboard!