Quick Answer: Our top Whole Foods cheese for a charcuterie board is Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie (4.3 out of 5), tied with Vermont Creamery Bijou. Best value: Sartori BellaVitano. Splurge: Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve, a three-time best-in-show American cheese.
Whole Foods has one of the best grocery cheese counters in the country, with specialty cheeses you'd otherwise find only at a cheese shop. These are the ones that work best on a board, plus two ways to pay less for them.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests, awards and shopper ratings, its ingredients, price and how easy it is to find, plus how it behaves on a board. Store stock changes, especially for seasonal items, so check your local store. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.3 |
| Best value: Sartori BellaVitano ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
| Splurge: Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 4.1 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.3 | The soft cheese |
| 2. Vermont Creamery Bijou ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.3 | A small, pretty goat cheese |
| 3. Sartori BellaVitano ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | A crowd-pleaser |
| 4. Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | A cheese-lover's board |
| 5. Jasper Hill Harbison ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | A spoonable centerpiece |
| 6. Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog ($$$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A goat cheese with a wow factor |
| 7. El Trigal Manchego, aged 6 months ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A Spanish board |
| 8. Somerdale Wensleydale with Cranberries ($$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | A sweet, crumbly cheese |
| 9. Roth 3 Chile Pepper Gouda ($$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | A little heat |
| 10. Klare Melk Raw Gouda with Truffle ($$) | ★★★½☆ 3.5 | A truffle cheese |
1. Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie
★★★★½ 4.3 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: The soft cheese · $$ mid-range
A French double cream brie from Normandy. Tasting Table picked it for being even richer and creamier than a standard brie, with a subtle sweetness.
- Why we like it: Richer than most grocery brie, at a fair price.
- Keep in mind: Take it out 20 to 30 minutes before serving so it softens.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese counter.
2. Vermont Creamery Bijou
★★★★½ 4.3 out of 5 · Best for: A small, pretty goat cheese · $$ mid-range
Small aged goat's milk buttons with a wrinkled rind. Tasting Table called them rich, creamy and elegant, with a striking look on a board.
- Why we like it: Looks impressive with no effort.
- Keep in mind: Small, so buy one pack per 4 to 6 guests.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese case.
3. Sartori BellaVitano
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best value · Best for: A crowd-pleaser · $$ mid-range
A Wisconsin cheese between a cheddar and a Parmesan, sold plain or rubbed with flavors such as Merlot or tomato basil. Tasting Table picked the tomato basil version as an award-winning, easy savory cheese.
- Why we like it: Liked by almost everyone, and easy to find.
- Keep in mind: The flavored versions are strong, so pick one.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese case.
4. Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve
★★★★☆ 4.1 out of 5 · Splurge · Best for: A cheese-lover's board · $$$ premium
A Wisconsin Alpine-style cheese from grass-fed cows, with caramel and grassy notes. It has won Best of Show at the American Cheese Society three times, according to The Cheese Atlas.
- Why we like it: One of the most awarded American cheeses.
- Keep in mind: Expensive, and not every store has it.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese counter. Ask if it's not out.
5. Jasper Hill Harbison
★★★★☆ 4.1 out of 5 · Best for: A spoonable centerpiece · $$$ premium
A soft Vermont cheese wrapped in spruce bark, rich enough to eat with a spoon. It was named Best of Show at the American Cheese Society awards, reported Gourmet News.
- Why we like it: Peel back the top rind and it becomes the star of the board.
- Keep in mind: Pricey, and ripe wheels run. Serve it on a plate.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese counter.
6. Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: A goat cheese with a wow factor · $$$ premium
A California goat cheese with a line of vegetable ash through the middle, tangy and creamy near the rind. It's one of the top picks in our goat cheese ranking.
- Why we like it: Looks and tastes special.
- Keep in mind: Expensive per ounce.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese counter.
7. El Trigal Manchego, aged 6 months
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: A Spanish board · $$ mid-range
A semi-firm Spanish sheep's milk cheese that Tasting Table described as tangy, nutty, fresh and creamy, and easy to slice.
- Why we like it: A good everyday Manchego.
- Keep in mind: Milder than older Manchego.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese counter.
8. Somerdale Wensleydale with Cranberries
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best for: A sweet, crumbly cheese · $$ mid-range
A crumbly British cheese studded with cranberries. Tasting Table liked its fresh, slightly sweet and acidic flavor next to salty meats.
- Why we like it: Festive and kid-friendly.
- Keep in mind: Sweet, so it suits holiday and dessert boards best.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese case.
9. Roth 3 Chile Pepper Gouda
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best for: A little heat · $$ mid-range
A Wisconsin Gouda with jalapeño, chipotle and habanero. Tasting Table said it adds smoky heat without being too spicy.
- Why we like it: Keeps a board from being boring.
- Keep in mind: Not for guests who avoid spice.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese case.
10. Klare Melk Raw Gouda with Truffle
★★★½☆ 3.5 out of 5 · Best for: A truffle cheese · $$ mid-range
A Dutch raw-milk Gouda with black truffle, sold only at Whole Foods according to Tasting Table.
- Why we like it: Earthy truffle flavor that suits a fall or winter board.
- Keep in mind: Truffle divides people, and it's made from raw milk.
- Where to find it: Whole Foods cheese case.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests, awards and shopper ratings (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.3 |
| Vermont Creamery Bijou | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.3 |
| Sartori BellaVitano | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4.2 |
| Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4.1 |
| Jasper Hill Harbison | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4.1 |
| Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4.0 |
| El Trigal Manchego, aged 6 months | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Somerdale Wensleydale with Cranberries | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Roth 3 Chile Pepper Gouda | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Klare Melk Raw Gouda with Truffle | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 |
How to pay less at Whole Foods
- Check the cut-ends bin. Many stores sell small, discounted pieces of their big wheels in a basket at the end of the cheese case. Apartment Therapy roughly halved the cost of a three-cheese board this way.
- Watch for 12 Days of Cheese. In recent Decembers Whole Foods has run a sale with one specialty cheese half off each day, starting around December 12, according to Ain't Too Proud To Meg.
- Ask for a taste. The counter staff can cut you a sample before you buy.
The Takeout ranked Whole Foods second of 13 grocery chains for its cheese selection, noting its trained cheese staff.
Building a board from these
Pick one soft cheese (Isigny brie or Harbison), one firm (Pleasant Ridge Reserve, El Trigal Manchego or BellaVitano) and one with a twist (Bijou, Humboldt Fog or the Wensleydale). Plan on about 3 oz of cheese per guest in total when the board is the party food.
For pregnant guests, the CDC recommends pasteurized cheeses, so skip the raw-milk truffle Gouda. See every ranked guide on our charcuterie buying guides page.
Whole Foods cheese questions
What is the best Whole Foods cheese for a charcuterie board?
Isigny Sainte-Mère Double Cream Brie for a soft cheese, and Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve if you want a special firm cheese. Sartori BellaVitano is the best value.
How can I save on cheese at Whole Foods?
Look for the bin of discounted cut ends at the end of the cheese case, and watch for the 12 Days of Cheese sale in December.
Does Whole Foods have cheeses you can't get elsewhere?
Yes. Some cheeses, such as Klare Melk Raw Gouda with Truffle, are sold only at Whole Foods, and the counter carries small-farm American cheeses most supermarkets don't.
Sources
- Tasting Table: 9 Cheeses At Whole Foods You Should Add To Your Charcuterie Board
- The Cheese Atlas: Pleasant Ridge Reserve
- Gourmet News: Harbison Named Best of Show at ACS Awards
- The Takeout: 13 Grocery Store Chains, Ranked By Their Cheese Selection
- Apartment Therapy: Whole Foods Cheese Bin Tip
- Ain't Too Proud To Meg: Whole Foods 12 Days of Cheese
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