Knaus adds to cheese mastery

WEYAUWEGA – Gerard Knaus of Weyauwega Star Dairy was a returning graduate of the 2025 Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program. He added Gouda and Havarti as his ninth and tenth certifications. He is now the program’s second most certified cheesemaker behind Bruce Workman, who holds 13.
There were nine graduates in the 2025 program, including the fourth female Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker. Wisconsin is home to over 1,200 licensed cheesemakers who win more awards for their cheese than any other state or country and craft more than 600 cheese varieties. The Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker certification is considered the ultimate achievement in the world of cheesemaking. Wisconsin is the only place outside of Switzerland where a cheesemaker can achieve this level of expertise. The program is a joint effort by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
“This certification represents the highest level of dedication to the craft,” said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. “It requires ten years of hands-on cheesemaking experience before being accepted into the program, and then it takes at least three more years of intense training and a rigorous final exam. These Masters embody the spirit of Wisconsin artisan cheesemaking—pushing boundaries in flavor, texture, and tradition with every batch.”