Information
Landmark: Rogue CreameryCity: Medford
Country: USA Oregon
Continent: North America
Rogue Creamery, Medford, USA Oregon, North America
Overview
Rogue Creamery, tucked into Central Point, Oregon, crafts award-winning artisan cheeses just a short drive from Medford in the lush Rogue Valley.Founded in 1933, it’s grown into one of America’s top makers of award-winning blue and specialty cheeses, blending old-world European methods with fresh, locally sourced milk.The creamery makes its own cheeses and welcomes guests, inviting them in for tours, tastings, and hands-on lessons that smell faintly of warm milk.Founded in 1933, it began as a small dairy creamery, delivering fresh cream to neighbors across the Rogue Valley.Rogue Creamery is best known for its organic blue cheeses, especially the rich, earthy Rogue River Blue, a variety that’s earned top honors both in the U. S. and abroad.Known for its organic certification and commitment to sustainable farming, it sources fresh, creamy milk mainly from nearby organic dairies.Rogue Creamery has racked up a shelf full of national and international honors for its bold blue cheeses, creamy soft-ripened wheels, and rich, smoky varieties.In the production area, modern cheesemaking facilities keep tight control over quality, with pasteurization tanks humming, aging rooms kept cool and still, and dedicated spaces for crafting specialty cheeses.In the tasting room and shop, visitors can nibble on creamy wedges of cheese, pick up their favorite products, and discover how each variety pairs with wines or other treats.Educational displays walk you through the cheesemaking journey, from the first splash of fresh milk to the careful aging and neat wrapping of each wheel.Rogue River Blue is their signature cheese, aged in cool local caves and wrapped in grape leaves steeped in pear brandy, giving it a rich, distinctive flavor.Organic blue cheeses come in crumbles, thick wedges, and even specialty flavors like a hint of smoky pepper.Other artisan cheeses include creamy soft rounds, sharp aged cheddars, and flavored varieties like smoky wedges or those speckled with fresh herbs.Pairings and gifts include cheese boards with tangy accompaniments, plus boxes filled with local wine, rich chocolate, and sun-ripened fruit.Guided tours give visitors a close look at cheesemaking-from the warm scent of fresh milk being prepared to curds forming, wheels aging on wooden shelves, and the final careful packaging.At the tastings, guests can try several kinds of Rogue Creamery cheese-perhaps a sharp, crumbly blue or a smooth, creamy cheddar-while learning how flavors pair and complement each other.Seasonal events might feature hands-on workshops, tasty food pairings, and lively demonstrations.We focus on sustainable farming, organic production, and the time‑honored craft of cheesemaking-like stirring fresh curds in a warm copper vat.The creamery welcomes visitors year-round, though in quieter months you might find a few tours trimmed back, especially when the air smells of woodsmoke and winter sets in.Pairing Events: In spring and fall, when the Rogue Valley buzzes with wine and food festivals, you’ll often find special tastings and pairings on the calendar-maybe a crisp Pinot with fresh goat cheese.Nearby, Medford and Ashland offer cozy hotels, inviting cafés, and a lively mix of theaters and galleries.In Rogue Valley Wine Country, you can enjoy Rogue Creamery cheeses alongside a glass of local wine, with vineyards just a few minutes down the road.Rogue River offers fishing in clear, rushing waters, thrilling whitewater rafting, and miles of breathtaking scenery to explore.Just down the road, the Jacksonville Historic District invites you to browse charming shops, wander through art-filled galleries, and step into the past on a guided heritage tour.In Southern Oregon, Rogue Creamery stands out as a must-visit for food lovers, known for its award-winning blue cheeses, earth-friendly practices, and tours where you can watch wheels of cheese age on wooden racks.It showcases the region’s deep farming roots and the skill of today’s American cheesemakers, drawing food lovers, curious travelers, and anyone eager to see artisan work up close-like watching a wheel of cheddar being cut fresh from the press.