SPECIAL SECTION: KIRKLAND SIGNATURE
FINE FORMAGGIO
The considered history that makes Kirkland Signature’ s
JIRI HERA / STOCK. ADOBE. COM
Italian cheeses a cut above.
F
rom carefully sourced milk to perfectly aged wheels, Kirkland Signature’ s Italian cheeses have a provenance spanning more than 20 years. Partnering with Italian cheese producer Zanetti was the first step for Costco to ensure its in-house cheeses are world class.
Zanetti has been producing fine cheeses for five generations, with export manager Valentina Zanetti explaining it all started in 1900 with her great-greatgrandfather“ trading cheese wheels on a small wooden cart on a bridge”.“ We are the largest Italian family business in cheesemaking,” Valentina says now, 125 years later.
Quality matters
Costco’ s decision to team with Zanetti to produce its Kirkland Signature cheeses
BY TANIA GOMEZ
– the range in Australia includes Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano – was not taken lightly. In fact, Valentina says Costco’ s range, in particular, is unique in that it is sourced from specially selected Zanetti dairies. Costco’ s buying team flew to Italy several times to taste test various styles and observe the manufacturing process.
There is a special selection and maturation method, as well as a stringent quality assurance procedure, dedicated to all cheeses destined for the Kirkland Signature range.
“ Every three months we tap each single cheese wheel with a traditional hammer and do quality checks on every wheel manually,” says Valentina.“ It’ s very intense work, but means we only deliver the very best.” Any wheel that doesn’ t meet Kirkland Signature’ s standards >
COSTCO CONNECTION MAR / APR 2026 | 21