Doe Run Farm, located in Coatesvill, PA, is run by Kristian and Haesel Holbrook. Kristian, a chef and cheesemaker, is responsible for the dairy herds and cheese making of Doe Run Dairy, while Haesel operates the fruit and vegetable farming, preserving and fermentation portions of the farm. There is a focus on sustainable farming practices at Doe Run, which includes rotational grazing of the herds of Jersey cows, East Friesian sheep, and Saanen and Nubian dairy goats.
The creation of Seven Sisters was inspired by the rolling countryside and rich grazing that the 30 Jersey cows enjoy at Doe Run. Seven Sisters is a cross between Gouda and Alpine cheese. The Holbrooks decided to produce both pasteurized and raw milk versions of their cheeses in order to appeal to a wider range of customers.
Seven Sisters is a washed curd cheese with a sweet milk flavor up front. It then develops a nutty- butterscotch taste with herbaceous notes toward the end. Seven Sisters’ butter-yellow paste has a firm texture with a natural rind. There are Young and Aged versions of Seven Sisters. The Young version is aged for 4 months before release, while the Aged version is at least 12 months old when released. Both versions are aged in stone caves located beneath the dairy.
Pairings:
This cheese is best paired with dry cider, lighter beers and ales, or white wines with good acidity such as Vernaccia, Albarino or Sauvignon Blanc.
