Beloved 94-year-old cheese company shuts down production after financial struggles tied to COVID 

A nearly century-old California food company has stopped making cheese, bringing an end to an important piece of the region’s culinary history. The family-owned business had survived decades of economic challenges, but the financial pressures of operating a small artisanal food company ultimately became too difficult to overcome.

Vella Cheese ends production

Vella Cheese Company, a longtime Sonoma, California, cheesemaker, announced in late August that it stopped taking in milk and producing cheese after 94 years in business. Fourth-generation cheesemaker Gabe Luddy confirmed the closure, saying continuing the family business was no longer financially feasible.

The company was founded in 1931 by Gaetano “Tom” Vella and became particularly well known for its Dry Jack, Monterey Jack, and other handcrafted cheeses. The business operated from a historic stone building in Sonoma that originally housed a brewery constructed in 1904.

Vella Cheese’s owners said the business never fully recovered from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising costs and the financial demands of running a small artisanal food operation also contributed to the decision to shut down production.

Luddy told Patch that the family had explored multiple options to keep the company operating, including partnerships and branding efforts, but ultimately exhausted its resources. He also said the economics of producing the company’s signature Dry Jack had become unsustainable.

Store will remain open temporarily

Although production has ended, customers still have an opportunity to purchase Vella Cheese products. The company’s retail store and wholesale warehouse will remain open while existing inventory is sold, although the family has not announced a specific final closing date.

The closure marks the end of a four-generation family cheesemaking operation that became a fixture in Sonoma and developed a following well beyond the local community.

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