Villajos Artisan Manchego Cheese in Wooden Box - 4 Pounds

Villajos Manchego is an authentic handmade, raw sheep's milk cheese cured for over one year. This aged "curado" Manchego has a full rich flavor with a nice sharpness. Slice and serve with olives and sliced jamón for the authentic flavor of Spain. Packed in a rustic wooden box, it makes a superb gift.

Many connoisseurs rate this Villajos as the best Manchego in Spain (and therefore the world). We are proud to be the exclusive source of this precious cheese in America. Their tiny artisan family operation is too small for the Villajos brothers to supply the commercial market.

The cheese is "homemade" - made in small quantities by two brothers from milk supplied by local shepherds. The cheese is made with raw milk from the Manchega breed of sheep, which are tended by shepherds in the hills surrounding the village. The sheep graze on fresh grass and herbs as they wander the countryside, adding a complex full flavor to their milk.

The family collects the fresh milk and makes the cheese within hours of milking in order to preserve its natural aroma and taste. This extra effort is amply rewarded. Because the milk is so fresh, it does not need to be pasteurized which would tone down the rich flavors of the cheese.

It yields an insuperable taste, full of subtle tones -- far superior to that of the industrial cheeses that are made with pasteurized milk. We order at least five months ahead so that they can plan to have enough milk from the local shepherds. The entire production process is supervised by the Council of the Denomination of Origin of Manchego Cheese.

The beautifully crafted Villajos "curado" earned the Gran Oro Gold Medal for the Best Cheese in Spain at the Frankfurt Food Show in 2023. This cheese also won a "Great Taste" award and a Gold Medal at the 2021 Lyon International Competition, the first Prize for Manchego in 2002, a Silver Medal in 2003 and a Silver Medal in 2006 at the Gran Selección de Castilla La Mancha contest.

There are many cheeses marketed as Manchego, but this one is in a class by itself.

How should I store cheese before opening?

Unopened cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

What is the shelf life after opening the cheese?

Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 3 to 4 weeks.

Can I freeze cheese for long-term storage?

Freezing is not recommended, as it can degrade the texture and quality of the cheese.

Is it safe to eat the rind?

Eating the rinds is not recommended.

What should I do if spots appear on the cheese?

Spots can be wiped off using a cloth lightly dampened with olive oil, or trimmed away.

How are perishable items shipped?

La Tienda ships refrigerated items in a recyclable cooler or insulated package with frozen ice packs to arrive in top condition. 

How will my order be packed?

La Tienda packs products carefully to ensure they arrive in top condition. Cold items are packed with insulated packaging and ice packs to preserve freshness. Items will arrive in La Tienda branded boxes.