The Big Cheese has left the building — and a heck of a treasure trove in his wake

 

The Robert Mondavi and James Beard of cheese-making has died.

Ig Vella, longtime crusty sweetheart of Sonoma (the town and county), mentor and friend to every honest food lover he ever met, and the greatest American cheese maker of the last couple of generations has left a heck of a legacy.

 

The man just had the magic, to which he added tenacious hard work and a kind and generous heart. He loved to teach, not just cheese-making but leadership, stewardship, and partnership as well.

We lost him, but he’ll always be with us — in his brilliant Dry Jack, in his father’s tart Oregon Blue (and its delicious progeny), in the zip of his raw milk Cheddar and in the milky sour of Mezzo Secco, and a whole lot more.

And in the tradition of good dairy and cheese and farm folks everywhere, he’ll be a benchmark and guidepost for us all.

Thank you Ig, for all you gave us, left us, and taught us. And for your crusty and tangy sweetness, full of warmth and sustenance.

Full article here