Original High Moisture Monterey Jack
There is no richer or more
delicious Monterey Jack anywhere. Its rich, buttery, creamy texture and taste
leaves a clean fresh flavor in your mouth. At room temperature, it's as
soft and creamy as a fine Brie, but far more economical. The imprint of
the muslin cloth on the back of the wheel shows that it has been rolled
and shaped by hand (no machine-made cheese can ever match this level
of character and individuality).
Block or Wheel?
Our high moisture Monterey Jack cheeses come in both blocks and wheels.
Block Jack is firmer so it slices and shreds easily. It is great for everyday use.
You can order any of our high moisture Monterey Jack cheeses in block form year round.
Wheel Jack is softer and creamier so it is great for a cheese plate or a gift.
Wheels are only available during the month of December, while supplies last.
2.5 lb. Block Original High Moisture Jack
$26
5 lb. Block Original High Moisture Jack
$50
Naturally Seasoned Monterey Jack Cheeses
Our naturally flavored Monterey Jack cheeses contain the same creamy
cheese as the original high-moisture Monterey Jack, gently infused with natural
flavor.
The high moisture Monterey Jack cheeses come in both blocks and wheels.
Block Jack is firmer so it slices and shreds easily. It is great for everyday use. You can order any of our high moisture Monterey Jack cheeses in block form year round.
Wheel Jack is softer and creamier so it is great for a cheese plate or a gift. Wheels are only available during the month of December, while supplies last.
Jalapeno Jack
The red and green jalapeño peppers are freshly delivered to us
from our special source in New Mexico.
2015 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International
Dairy Competition
2012 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International
Dairy Competition
2010 Silver Medal, California State Fair
2.5 lb. Block Jalapeno Jack
$27
5 lb. Block Jalapeno Jack
$51
Habanero Jack
This spicy cheese is seasoned with habañero chilies.
2014 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International
Dairy Competition
2.5 lb. Block Habanero Jack
$30
5 lb. Block Habanero Jack
$52
Pesto Jack
The creamy sweetness of our Pesto Jack should not be missed.
The result is a cheese suffused with piquant and delicate flavors. Great
for spiced grilled cheese sandwiches. Wonderful alone, with crackers or
grated on your favorite pasta dish!
2015 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International
Dairy Competition
2003 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2.5 lb. Block Pesto Jack
$27
5 lb. Block Pesto Jack
$51
Rosemary Jack
We grow our own
fresh rosemary gives this cheese a delightful flavor.
2015 Bronze Medal, Los Angeles Dairy Competition
2009 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2.5 lb. Block Rosemary Jack
$27
5 lb. Block Rosemary Jack
$51
Garlic Jack
Our Garlic Jack is enriched with California grown garlic.
2.5 lb. Block Garlic Jack
$27
5 lb. Block Garlic Jack
$51
Dry Monterey Jack Cheeses
Mezzo Secco (Partially Dry Monterey Jack )
Mezzo Secco represents our attempt to return to the 1930s. The genesis for this cheese lies in the need for a soft or medium soft cheese to hold up during the hot summer months in an "ice box." In California from the 1920's thru 1946, mechanical household refrigerators were found only in the homes of the wealthy, or in commercial establishments. The majority of households by far had iceboxes that were cooled by a melting block of ice. When summer weather came, milk and butter were placed directly onto the ice box, and other foods that needed cooling--including fresh cheese--were left to fend for themselves in the adjoining compartment.
Consumers requested a firmer fresh Jack that would not get runny, yet was not as firm as dry Monterey Jack. A midway formula evolved, hence Mezzo Secco, and was offered for sale from May to October, At the end of World War II, when mechanical household refrigeration became cheaply available, we stopped making Mezzo Secco.
In 1999, we revived Mezzo Secco, and were awarded a silver medal in the US Cheese Championships. Mezzo Secco is a delicious complement to our line of Dry Monterey Jacks, and continues to earn national and international recognition. Mezzo Secco is aged a minimum of four to seven months.
2015 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Dairy Competition
2007, Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2004, Silver Medal, International Cheese Championship
2.5 lb. Quarter Wheel Mezzo Secco
$38
5.0 lb. Half Wheel Mezzo Secco
$64
10 lb. Wheel Mezzo Secco
$112
Oro Secco
When our Mezzo Secco cheese is aged longer—a full two years up to four years—it becomes especially golden and delicious, so we named it Oro Secco.
2014 Bronze Medal, California State Fair
2010 Gold Medal, California State Fair
2010 Second Place, American Cheese Society
1.75 lb. Quarter Wheel Oro Secco Currently unavailable
3.75 lb. Half Wheel Oro Secco
Currently unavailable
7.5 lb. Wheel Oro Secco Currently unavailable
Dry Monterey Jack Cheese
A true masterpiece of American cheese-making and an exclusive with us. Made like
fresh Monterey Jack and further aged for another seven to ten months. Firm, pale yellow
with a sweet nutty flavor. This cheese is great f or grating, shredding, slicing,
cooking or just plain eating. Marvelous in toasted cheese sandwiches, omelets
and souffles. Delicious shredded on pasta, soups or tacos --for a taste that
is unique and special. Can also be added to casseroles and enchiladas. Dry Monterey
Jack will become one of your favorites!
2014 Silver Medal, California State Fair
2011 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2004 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
1988 International Gold Medal Winner
2 lb. Quarter Wheel Dry Monterey Jack
$33
4 lb. Half Wheel Dry Monterey Jack
$55
8 lb. Wheel Dry Monterey Jack
$90
Special Select Dry Monterey Jack
Special Select has all the same qualities as our Dry
Jack but is is aged a minimum of one year and up to two years. Special Select has a firmer texture than our traditional Dry Jack due to its extra aging (much
like aged Reggiano Parmigiano) but it is well worth the effort. Special Select
complements the flavor of fruits and wine and is excellent with pasta entrées.
The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
2014 Gold Medal, Los Angeles Dairy Competition
2012 Gold Medal, California State Fair
2012 Second Place, American Cheese Society
1995-96 U.S. Cheese Champion
1.8 lb Quarter Wheel Special Select Dry Jack
$38
3.75 lb Half Wheel Special Select Dry Jack
$60
7.5 lb. Wheel Special Select Dry Jack
$95
Golden Bear Dry Monterey Jack
Golden Bear has all the same qualities as our Special Select Dry
Jack but it is aged from two to four years to make it even better!!
This cheese has an even firmer texture than the Special Select Dry Jack due to its extra aging. Golden Bear is delicious eaten by itself when cut with a cheese wedge, or grated over any Italian delicacy.
2011 Gold Medal and Best of Division, California State Fair
2007 Gold Medal and Best of Division, California State Fair
1.8 lb. Quarter Wheel Golden Bear Dry Jack Currently unvailable
3.5 lb. Half Wheel Golden Bear Dry Jack Currently unavailable
7 lb. Wheel Golden Bear Dry Jack Currently unavailable
Habanero Dry Monterey Jack
If you like our spicy cheeses, you will love this one. We added habañero peppers to our Dry Jack recipe and then aged the wheels for a year to allow the flavors to blend and mature. Delicious!!
2016 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Cheese Competition
2014 Gold Medal, California State Fair
2011 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2 lb. Quarter Wheel Habanero Dry Jack
$41
4 lb. Half Wheel Habanero Dry Jack
$69
8 lb. Wheel Habanero Dry Jack
$116
Italian Style Cheeses
Asiago
This cheese originated
in the commune of Asiago in the province of Vicenza, region of
II Veneto in Italy. It was originally made from sheeps' milk, but
it is
now universally made from cows' milk. The result is a sweet
curd, grana-type cheese with a pleasant aroma. In concert with
our other grating cheese, Dry Monterey Jack, Asiago may be used
as a table cheese when young. Our founder, Thomas G. Vella, proudly
claimed that this is the first Asiago made in California in 70
years.
2015 Silver Medal, Los Angeles International
Dairy Competition
2013 Gold Medal, LA International Dairy Competition
2012 Bronze Medal, California State Fair
2006 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2.5 lb. Quarter Wheel Asiago
$38
5 lb. Half Wheel Asiago
$64
10 lb. Wheel Asiago
$112
Italian Style Table Cheese
This cheese is the California version of Fontina and has been recognized as a unique cheese type in competitions during the last few years in which it has been available. Excellent as a dessert cheese with fruits, a table cheese for snacks or an ingredient in all cheese recipes. Its subtle flavor and semi-firm texture represents the finest products of the California cheese-makers' art. Definitely recommended for use in Latin dishes.
2016 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Cheese Competition
2012 Bronze Medal, California State Fair
2007 Bronze Medal, California State Fair.
2006 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2.75 lb. Quarter Wheel Italian Style Table Cheese
$35
5.5 lb. Half Wheel Italian Style Table Cheese
$60
11 lb. Wheel Italian Style Table Cheese
$110
Toma
This soft, slightly-ripened cheese from the Piedmont area of the Italian Peninsula was originally
made on the farm or in small local factories. It was a regional cheese.
As the factories became larger, this cheese has been available in lesser amounts because it takes a great deal of hand labor and care. We believe we are the first US cheese factory that makes Toma.
2016 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Cheese Competition
2014 Silver Medal, LA International Dairy Competition
2012 Gold Medal, LA International Dairy Competition
2007, Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
2.5 lb. Quarter Wheel Toma
$34
5 lb. Half Wheel Toma
$56
10 lb. Wheel Toma
$105
Romanello Dolce
This Italian type cheese has been made by Vella Cheese Company as a dry grating cheese. However, we decided to make a younger, sweeter version for slicing and fresher use. By experimenting with various cultures, we arrived at this formula.
2009 Gold Medal, California State Fair
2 lb. Quarter Wheel Romanello Dolce
$33
4 lb. Half Wheel Romanello Dolce
$56
8 lb. Wheel Romanello Dolce
$100
Cheddar Cheeses
Sharp White Cheddar
Our Sharp White Cheddar is aged for an estimated two years and has a complex sharp flavor that lingers in your mouth. We've recaptured the way this cheese should taste.
It is an exclusive Bear Flag Brand product.
2.5 lb. Half Block Sharp White Cheddar
$29
5 lb. Block Sharp White Cheddar
$55
Daisy Cheddar
Hoops that shape cheese wheels come in different sizes, and a single-daisy wheel was 22.5 lbs. Later, cheesemakers devised the "California Daisy"which makes an 11 lb. wheel of cheese. Following a traditional cheddar recipe, Daisy Cheddar wheels are made by hand, like the other Vella cheeses.
"A flavor mild enough to appeal to children,
and interesting enough for the cheese board."
Janet Fletcher, San Francisco Chronicle, October, 2007
2015 Bronze Medal, California State Fair
2014 Gold Medal, Los Angeles Dairy Competition
2014 Silver Medal, California State Fair
2011 Bronze Medal, California State Fair
2.75 lb. Quarter Wheel Daisy Cheddar
$37
5.5 lb. Half Wheel Daisy Cheddar
$63
11 lb. Wheel Daisy Cheddar
$112
Daisy Cheddar with Jalapenos
The cheese judges really liked the addition of jalapeño peppers to our Daisy Cheddar.
2014 Gold Medal, California State Fair
2.75 lb. Quarter Wheel Daisy Cheddar with Jalapenos
$39
5.5 lb. Half Wheel Daisy Cheddar with Jalapenos
$65
11 lb. Wheel Daisy Cheddar with Jalapenos
$116
All orders will be sent by the carrier of our choice (UPS/USPS) unless specified in the comments.
If you need expedited shipping, please call us at 1-800-848-0505 for pricing.