Mercer Cheese
Master cheesemaker Albert Alferink
Their Story
Albert Alferink, a Dutch immigrant, is the founder and master cheesemaker behind Mercer Cheese. He initially migrated to New Zealand to work as a forest ranger. Finding this a lonely existence, he decided in 1981 to make cheese and open a shop to meet people. He started with two cows, milking them…
What They Make
Mercer Cheese offers 15-20 varieties of Dutch-style cheeses, prominently featuring various Goudas including plain Gouda (also known as 'Waikato cheese'), Mature Gouda, Extra Aged Gouda, Vintage Waikato (a three-year-aged cheese made from September to December), Walnut Gouda, Cumin Gouda, Garlic & Chive Gouda, Chilli Gouda, Nettle Gouda, and Native Bush Gouda (infused with Kawakawa and Horopito). They also produce Maasdam, Parmesan, Pecorino (made from sheep milk), and an innovative '50/50' Gouda, a blend of cow and sheep milk. They have also experimented with a sheep milk feta style blue and a cow's milk Blue Vein. Additionally, their physical shop stocks a range of imported Dutch products such as biscuits, apple sauce, traditional licorice, chocolate hail, sauerkraut, and sweets, alongside local chutneys, relishes, and vinaigrettes.
Awards & Recognition
- NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Countless medals
- Champion Cheesemaker Award — Winner (Albert Alferink)
- World Cheese Awards — Bronze medal for Vintage Gouda (Waikato Gouda)(2019)
- NZ Champions of Cheese Awards — Champion of Champions (Artisan) for '50/50' Gouda(2017)
- Puhoi Valley Champion Artisan Cheese Award — Winner for Mercer Mature Cumin(2015)
- New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards — Champion of Champions (Large Cheese-Producing Companies) for Extra Mature with Cumin(2009)
- Champion Dutch Style Cheese Award — Winner(2008)
More from Mercer Cheese
How to Get Their Products
Products can be purchased directly from their physical shop. Online purchasing is available through various stockists like The Cheese Wheel (offering monthly subscriptions or one-off boxes delivered across New Zealand) and New Zealand Cheese Ltd. (providing online ordering, contactless delivery, and free shipping options). Some retailers also offer click-and-collect.