Vully Rouge

It has an aroma of a washed rind cheese, with a complexity of an aged cheese.

Origin:  Cressier, Canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland

Milk: Thermised cow's milk

Rennet Type: Animal rennet

Style: Semi-hard, smear-ripened

Classification: Artisan   

Shelf Life: 7-10 days, this product is cut to order 

Goes well with:Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, prosciutto

Similar cheeses:Appenzeller, Marechal

Vully Rouge is a semi-hard, raw cow’s milk cheese made in Cressier, nestled between Fribourg and Lake Murten, by the Schafer family at Fromagerie Schafer. Born in 1993 from the vision of Ewald Schafer, a passionate cheesemaker and agricultural engineer, this cheese was crafted to honor the terroir of Mont Vully, a small but storied hill on the Swiss Plateau.

Each wheel is lovingly washed with a brine infused with Pinot Noir from the coteaux of Vully, giving the rind its distinctive rouge color, which deepens as it ages. A subtle touch of natural annatto (rocou) enhances its warm tone and pays homage to the traditional aesthetic of Swiss washed-rind cheeses.

Flavor and Texture

• Texture: The paste is ivory to pale yellow, semi-firm yet supple, with a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth quality that becomes creamier closer to the rind.

• Flavor: Vully Rouge opens with aromas typical of washed-rind cheeses—slightly pungent, savory, and rustic. On the palate, it reveals layers of peanut, meat broth, and subtle spice, finishing with a fruity brightness from the Pinot Noir brine. There’s a beautiful balance of earthiness and finesse, making it both comforting and complex.

As it matures, the cheese intensifies in flavor, developing deeper, more umami-forward notes while maintaining its delicate structure.

Pairing Suggestions

• Food: Pair with prosciutto, toasted nuts, or a spoon of fruit chutney. It melts beautifully, making it ideal for alpine-style toasts or gratins.

• Wine: Naturally, Pinot Noir from the Vully region is a perfect match, highlighting the cheese’s subtle fruitiness. It also pairs wonderfully with a lightly oaked Chardonnay, or for a more rustic touch, a glass of Chasselas.

Vully Rouge is more than a cheese—it’s a reflection of Swiss family tradition, sustainable farming, and small-scale craftsmanship. Made daily with fresh grass-fed milk sourced from local farms, it represents a new generation of artisan cheeses that honor their landscape while innovating within it.

Recognizable by its grape motif embossed on the rind, Vully Rouge is a stunning marriage of alpine heritage and viticultural influence—a cheese with both roots and soul. Whether on a cheeseboard or melted into a dish, it brings the taste of Mont Vully and the Schafer family’s passion directly to your table.

Dietary

Ingredients: Thermised cow's milk, salt, cultures, animal rennet.