Vella Cheese - All Products

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 for 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. Coated with an edible rind of cocoa, pepper and canola oil, Dry Monterey Jack will surely 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

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

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

Mezzo Secco, meaning "half dry" in Italian, is the youngest in our Dry Monterey Jack family and is aged 5-7 months. One of our most popular cheeses, it is semi firm with an edible rind of canola oil and black pepper. The golden hued interior is mild and creamy, slightly tart with a bit of nuttiness and hay. It is one of the most versatile cheeses we make, lending itself well to sandwiches, cheeseboards, snacking, salads, you name it. Pairs best with charcuterie and all wines and beers.

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

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

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

This cheese originated in the commune of Asiago in the province of Vicenza, region of II Veneto in Italy. Made with cows milk and aged about 6 months, the result is a sweet curd, grana-type cheese with a pleasant aroma and a rich, bold flavor. Perfect as a table cheese or grated and melted in your Alfredo sauce. Our founder, Thomas G. Vella, proudly claimed that this is the first Asiago made in California in 70 years.

This soft, slightly ripened cheese from the Piedmont area of the Italian Peninsula was originally made on the farm or in small local factories and varied between regions. It has become increasingly harder to find because it takes a great deal of hand labor and care. Ours is aged a minimum of 30 days; mild, creamy and similar to that of a Havarti or a Teleme cheese.

This is our version of a Romano style cheese aged 5-7 months and coated with canola oil and cocoa powder. It is sweet and fruity with a fragrant aroma delicious eaten alone, on crusty french bread or paired with any red wine.

Made with thermized milk and aged a minimum of 60 days this is the mildest cheddar we produce. It has a uniform butter color with a sweet dairy smell. It is moist yet firm with a creamy, mellow tang on the tongue. Being made in 11 pound round hoops creates the signature California Daisy shaped wheel.

Aged for approximately two years this white cheddar has a bold intense flavor with a rich complex taste. The bitey tang and slightly acidic profile pair perfectly with our Toma for a delicious mac and cheese. This is an exclusive Bear Flag Brand product.

Made the same way as the Daisy Cheddar but released at 1 year old. With age this cheese now becomes flaky and crumbly with a sharp bite and the jalapenos gain an even spicier kick

The red and green jalapeno peppers make this spicy favorite not to mild but not too hot, the perfect balance.

This extra spicy cheese seasoned with bright orange habanero chilies packs a punch and makes a great quesadilla.

The delicate sweetness of our pesto jack comes from our own blend of basil and garlic. Great for grilled cheese sandwiches, on your favorite pasta or in a caprese salad.

We grow our own rosemary which gives this cheese a delightfully fresh herbed flavor.

Enriched with California grown garlic this is pungent and delicious eaten alone or with salame and crackers.

Includes:
1/2 pound of Regular Dry Jack, SS Dry Jack & Golden Bear Dry Jack

Includes:
Half pound wedges of Toma, Romanello Dolce, and Asiago, Large Salame, Olives & Crackers

Includes:
Half pound wedges of Toma, Daisy with Jalapenos, Sharp Cheddar, Rosemary Jack, Mezzo Secco, and Dry Monterey Jack

Includes:
Half pound blocks of Original Jack, Pesto Jack, Jalapeno Jack and Garlic Jack