Artisan cheeses are handmade by the cheesemaker in small batches. These cheeses are usually farmstead cheeses and most of the dairy animals are pasture fed in the clean grasses 
of the Wisconsin countryside. When these cheeses are entered into competitions, they are often prize winners. Locals know about them, but ordinarily you would have to know the cheesemaker or go to a regional farmers' market to get your hands on them.
These cheeses are only a slice of what Wisconsin artisanal cheesemakers have to offer you. Try Bleu Mont Dairy's bandaged cheddar cheese (first prize in category, 2006 American Cheese Society) aged on red cedar boards, or the superb goat feta from Capri Creamery. Taste the tangy blue or the magnificent 10-year-old cheddar cheese (first prize in category, 2006 American Cheese Society)from Hook's Cheese Company. Enjoy the new slightly aged ash-covered Fleurie (second prize in category, 2006 American Cheese Society) made by Fantôme Farms. Sample Carr Valley's prize winning Gran Canaria. Savor the depth of flavors in Crave Brothers Les Frères. Treat yourself to the Pleasant Ridge Reserve (twice best-of-show American Cheese Society winner: 2001 and 2005) gruyère-style cheese from Uplands Cheese Company. Try Widmer's prized foil-wrapped washed brick, made from his swiss grandfather's recipe. Or assemble an after-dinner cheese tray by combining all of these artisan cheeses.
CC's Jersey Creme yogurt is made from farmstead Jersey milk the way it should be, by dairy artisans who care about freshness, quality and sustainability. This yogurt regularly wins prizes at the American Cheese Society judging. You can find out more about this rich, nutritious and delicious yogurt at their website: www.jerseycreme.com.
Living on the Wedge, a documentary made about Wisconsin artisan cheeses, has been nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Television Special, winners are announced May 6. If you want to see the documentary, the Wedge website has information about the documentary and showings. If you want to buy a copy of the dvd, it's for sale online here.