This year marks a very special milestone for Snowdonia Cheese Co. We’re celebrating 25 years of crafting exceptional cheese and marking the occasion with something new: Purple Vale, our rich and crumbly mature Cheddar combined with balsamic caramelised red onion chutney and Giusti 3 Gold Medals Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
It’s a cheese that reflects how far we’ve come, while staying true to everything you love about Snowdonia Cheese Co.
Where it all began
Snowdonia Cheese Co was founded in 2001 with a vision: to create delicious, small-batch cheeses that capture the beauty of North Wales. Brothers John and Richard, fourth-generation dairy farmers, believe great cheese should start with the finest ingredients and be crafted with patience and care.
Their first creation was Black Bomber, our extra mature Cheddar encased in a wax as dark as Snowdonia’s night skies. Creamy, intensely savoury and demandingly moreish, it quickly became a favourite at local farmers’ markets. Word spread fast. Soon Black Bomber was joined by Red Devil – a fiery Red Leicester with a secret blend of Habanero chillies, peppers and spices – and Green Thunder, a mature Cheddar with roasted garlic and aromatic garden herbs. The range continued to grow – and today we craft 12 varieties of Cheddar and Red Leicester, each sealed in its own distinctive wax and bursting with incredible flavour.
The Snowdonia range grows
As more and more people discovered our cheeses, we started creating the accompaniments we wanted to enjoy with them ourselves. Crunchy crackers, baked the traditional way. Little jars of chutney for spooning and dipping. Velvety cheese bakes served hot from the oven as a delicious dip to share. Each created using time-honed techniques and our bespoke recipes.
Even with this growing family of products, our roots remain firmly in North Wales. The landscape, traditions, and communities around Snowdonia continue to inspire everything we do.
Introducing Purple Vale
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we wanted to create a cheese that befits the occasion. At Snowdonia Cheese Co, we only choose the highest-quality ingredients that pass our cheese experts’ rigorous taste tests – so, for Purple Vale, we searched for the very best artisan producer of balsamic vinegar of Modena. And who better than Giusti, Italy’s oldest vinegar maker and the choice of top chefs around the world?
Purple Vale brings together two culinary heritages, each shaped by time and tradition. At its heart is our finest mature Cheddar: creamy, crumbly and deeply savoury. Each truckle is combined with caramelised red onion chutney made using Giusti Duchessa Carlotta Balsamic Vinegar, then infused with the award-winning Giusti 3 Gold Medals Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
Together, they make a cheese like no other. The dense complexity of the balsamic vinegar lends an extra layer of richness to our bold and buttery Cheddar, while the concentrated red onions make it sing.
A fusion of delicacies
Purple Vale celebrates the meeting of North Wales and the Lambrusco vineyards of Emilia-Romagna. Our cheeses draw inspiration and character from the wild heather-covered valleys of North Wales. Meanwhile, Giusti has been producing balsamic vinegar in Modena since 1605, guided by a family recipe passed down through 17 generations.
It is the fusion of delicacies sculpted by time. Our mature Cheddar, aged until lusciously rich and full-bodied. Balsamic vinegar of Modena, made with slow-cooked local grapes, centuries-old oak barrels and a generous serving of patience.
How to enjoy Purple Vale
Try Purple Vale on a Wholemeal & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cracker with a spoonful of Balsamic Caramelised Onion Chutney. A juicy, medium-bodied red wine makes an excellent partner, allowing the savoury depth and subtle sweetness to shine.
Celebrating 25 years of flavour
From the first truckles of Black Bomber sold at local markets to a range enjoyed in 35 countries around the world, Snowdonia Cheese Co has always been guided by our obsession with remarkable flavour. Purple Vale is our way of celebrating this milestone, while looking ahead to the next 25 years. And of course, we think the best way to mark the occasion is the simplest one of all: gather around a cheeseboard and enjoy a slice.
Discover Purple Vale here.