Marieke Gouda Featured on Netflix’s “On the Road” with America’s Test Kitchen

THORP, Wis. — Marieke Gouda, the award-winning Wisconsin cheese company known for bringing authentic Dutch cheesemaking traditions to America’s Dairyland, is in the national spotlight as part of On the Road. The new food and travel series from America’s Test Kitchen made its debut on Netflix this month.

Hosted by America’s Test Kitchen chef Bryan Roof, On the Road takes viewers across the United States to discover the diverse culinary traditions, people, and places that shape American food. In episode four, Roof traveled to Wisconsin to meet the farmers and cheesemakers preserving the craft and traditions that have made Wisconsin cheese famous around the world. While at Marieke Gouda, Roof explored the farmstead creamery, learned about traditional Gouda cheesemaking, and met with Dutch-born founder and Master Cheesemaker Marieke Penterman.

For Penterman, the feature represents an opportunity to share the story behind the cheese, and its journey from the Netherlands to the heart of America’s Dairyland.

“Cheese has always been a connection to home for me,” said Penterman. “When I came to Wisconsin from the Netherlands, I missed the Gouda I grew up with. I wanted to bring that tradition with me but also make it my own here in Wisconsin. It’s incredibly meaningful to have that story shared with viewers across the country, and now around the world through Netflix.”

Penterman grew up on her family’s dairy farm in the Netherlands, where she developed an appreciation for dairy farming and traditional Gouda cheesemaking. After moving to Wisconsin, she pursued cheesemaking and returned to the Netherlands to learn traditional techniques from Dutch cheesemakers.

Today, Marieke Gouda produces handcrafted Gouda using those traditional Dutch techniques and milk from its own farm in Thorp. The company’s cheeses have earned numerous national and international awards, establishing Marieke Gouda as one of Wisconsin’s best-known artisan cheesemakers.

“Wisconsin has such an incredible cheesemaking story to tell, and we’re proud to be part of it,” said Penterman. “We’ve always believed that making great cheese starts with great milk, great cows and a respect for tradition. This feature gives people a chance to see that story for themselves.”

On the Road is now streaming on Netflix.

About Marieke Gouda

Founded by Dutch-born cheesemaker Marieke Penterman, Marieke Gouda is a farmstead cheesemaker located in Thorp, Wisconsin. The company specializes in authentic Dutch-style Gouda made with milk from its own farm and traditional cheesemaking methods. Marieke’s cheeses have earned numerous national and international awards, and the company is dedicated to preserving the art of traditional Gouda cheesemaking while embracing its Wisconsin home.