The Cheese Wheel

What's in the box: Four different New Zealand artisan cheeses from small local makers, with information about each cheese and its maker and suggested drink pairings.

The Cheese Wheel is a New Zealand subscription that sends four different cheeses each month from small artisan cheese makers around the country. It focuses on local producers, including small makers whose cheeses can be hard to find in shops. Each box comes with notes on the cheeses and the people who make them, plus suggested drink pairings. Boxes are delivered nationwide, and the site says there is no time commitment, so you can try it without signing up for a long contract. For households that avoid dairy, there is also a vegan and dairy-free box. Gifting is well supported: you can send a box to a friend, client or colleague with a gift note, and new subscribers get a welcome offer on their first box. The selection is always a surprise. That suits adventurous eaters, but you cannot choose specific cheeses. The site only talks about cheese, so don't expect cured meats or other charcuterie. Prices are not shown on the main page, so check the subscription page before you commit. The company also writes a cheese news blog and has hosted tasting events, which suggests an engaged small business rather than a generic reseller. Overall, it's a solid, focused choice for cheese lovers in New Zealand who want to discover local makers.