A Dobbs & Bishop Holiday Cheese Gift Guide
The holidays are made for good cheese. The kind that gets people lingering at the table, crowding around the kitchen, or tearing off one more piece of bread “just to taste.” Whether you’re gifting, hosting, or stocking your fridge for cozy nights in, these are the cheeses we reach for again and again this time of year.
They’re warm, comforting, and meant to be shared.
Harbison (Jasper Hill Farm, Vermont)
If you’re bringing one cheese to a holiday gathering and want it to feel special, this is the one.
Harbison is wrapped in spruce bark and becomes beautifully oozy as it warms. Made by Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont, it’s rich and savory with a subtle woodsy aroma that feels perfectly wintry. It’s the kind of cheese people hover over, spooning straight from the wheel and asking where it’s from.
No fuss, no cutting — just bread, crackers, and a room-temperature Harbison doing all the work.
Fondue Cheeses: Appenzeller, Emmental & Gruyère
Few things feel more festive than a pot of fondue bubbling in the middle of the table.
Each of these cheeses is delicious on its own, but together they create that classic fondue flavor — nutty, savory, and deeply comforting. This trio is ideal for long winter nights, casual holiday dinners, or an excuse to gather friends around something warm and communal.
All you need is good bread, maybe some potatoes or apples, and time to linger.
Morbier
Morbier is a classic French cheese with a soft, supple texture and a savory, approachable flavor. It melts beautifully, making it a natural companion to raclette nights or other cozy, cheese-forward meals.
If you’re feeding a group and want something comforting that still feels special, Morbier is a great choice. It’s familiar without being boring — and it plays very nicely with warm potatoes and winter vegetables.
Raclette (French & Swiss)
Raclette is less about the cheese board and more about the experience.
We carry both French and Swiss raclette, and both melt beautifully into something rich, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying. It’s perfect for holiday parties where people can help themselves — scraping melted cheese over potatoes, vegetables, or cured meats.
It’s interactive, a little indulgent, and always memorable.
Mekkerstee (Aged Goat Gouda)
For the cheese lover who wants something a little different, Mekkerstee is a standout.
This aged goat gouda is sweet, nutty, and full of crunchy tyrosine crystals. It’s often described as Midnight Moon’s older, wiser cousin — deeper, more complex, and incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of cheese you slice thinly, then keep going back for.
Perfect on a holiday cheese board or wrapped up as a gift for someone who loves aged cheeses with personality.
Gifting, Made Easy
All of these cheeses work beautifully on their own, or as part of a larger holiday spread. We’re always happy to help put together gift baskets or custom selections — whether you’re shopping for a host, a client, or someone who simply loves good cheese.
Because the best holiday gifts aren’t flashy. They’re the ones people gather around, talk over, and remember.