Rogue Creamery president gets lifetime achievement award

Aug. 1—Rogue Creamery President David Gremmels will never forget the day he was introduced to the cheese industry.

It was the late 1980s, and Gremmels — back then a design, merchandising and marketing entrepreneur — found himself inside an Italian cafe in Seattle trying Sally Jackson goat cheese and Cabrales blue cheese with a client.

"I was just so taken aback by that moment," Gremmels said. "From there on, cheese had to be part of not only my professional life, but also be a part of every event I was participating in and every meal."

It's that line of thinking that led the American Cheese Society to bestow upon Gremmels a lifetime achievement award during a July conference.

Endsley Eggert, marketing manager for the organization, issued a prepared statement about Gremmels, saying his leadership is an inspiration.

"Not only has David inspired his team at Rogue Creamery to strive to make great cheese, but he has also uplifted the creamery to meet the highest standards in sustainability, innovation and team-member appreciation and pride," Eggert wrote in an email.

Gremmels, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing, worked for Nordstrom, J. Peterman and the Rogue Valley's own Harry & David before buying Rogue Creamery in 2002 from Ignazio "Ig" Vella, considered "the godfather of the artisan cheese movement."

"(He) said if I wanted his cheese, I would have to make it myself. I was just so taken aback by that suggestion," Gremmels said.

It was the choice between starting up a new wine and cheese bar in Ashland or saving an "icon" valley business from closure.

"I knew that would win my mother's appreciation," Gremmels said.

In the past two decades, Rogue Creamery hasn't slowed down, continuing to produce cheese using sustainable business practices in Central Point. Most notably, the business was crowned World Champion at the 2019/20 World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy, for its signature product, Rogue River Blue.

"It definitely was the crowning seal on my career," Gremmels said, "and it was one of the most memorable days of my life at Rogue Creamery. I always like to say the world tilted on its rind at that moment in time."

He says his career overall "never followed a straight path," but it's one that presented both "obstacles and opportunities." All the while, he's appreciated people he has met "along my journey."

Gremmels has taken the things he's learned from his mentors and blended it into his own leadership style. He noted how he's added to his business mantra, "safe, healthy, positive," the term "other-centered."

"Rogue Creamery's vision is simply those words," Gremmels said, "having an impact one meal at a time."

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.