Top Pecorino Romano Brands for Cheese Lovers

Pecorino Romano is a popular Italian cheese known for its sharp, salty flavor and crumbly texture, making it a staple in various culinary dishes. Originating from the Lazio, Sardinia, and Tuscany regions of Italy, this cheese has been a favorite for centuries and continues to delight cheese enthusiasts worldwide. When it comes to selecting the best brands of Pecorino Romano, it's important to consider factors such as authenticity, flavor profile, and production methods. To assist your quest for the finest Pecorino Romano, we have compiled a list of top brands renowned for their exceptional quality and delicious taste. Discover more about these esteemed brands below.

Illustration of pecorino romano

Best brands of pecorino romano in 2025

Locatelli

Locatelli is renowned as one of the top producers of Pecorino Romano, a cheese that has seen a significant surge in production and sales. In the 2023-2024 season, the overall production of Pecorino Romano PDO increased by 7.1%, with 297 million liters of sheep's milk collected, marking an 11.56% rise from the previous season. This growth is partly driven by strong demand from the U.S. market, which has expanded by 25.6% in the first seven months of 2024. The Italian market absorbs 40% of Pecorino Romano PDO, while the U.S. takes 35%, highlighting the cheese's global appeal. Locatelli's high-quality Pecorino Romano is integral to this success, particularly in its grated form, which is widely used in various culinary applications. You can explore more about Locatelli's grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Fulvi

Fulvi is renowned as one of the best producers of Pecorino Romano, a traditional Italian cheese made from 100% sheep's milk collected in the Lazio region. This cheese is distinguished by its higher butterfat content, making it less dry and hard compared to those produced in Sardinia. Aged for 10-12 months and coated in black wax, Fulvi Pecorino Romano boasts a bold, assertive flavor with a pleasant salty note. It is produced in large 65-pound wheels using ancient traditions and is a critical ingredient in classic pasta dishes like Cacio de Pepe. The production of Pecorino Romano has seen an upward trend, with Italy's total production volume peaking at 36,660 tons in 2023, a roughly 12% increase from the previous year. You can explore more about this exquisite cheese on Fulvi Pecorino Romano at Murray's Cheese.

Castelli

Castelli is a renowned producer of Pecorino Romano PDO, contributing to the significant growth in the cheese's production and sales. In the 2023-2024 season, Pecorino Romano production saw a 7.1% increase, with 297 million liters of sheep's milk collected, and the Italian market absorbing 40% of the product. The U.S. market, which accounts for 35% of the sales, experienced a 25.6% surge in sales during this period. Castelli's commitment to quality and traditional production methods has been instrumental in meeting the rising demand, particularly from younger consumers who appreciate the cheese as a stand-alone delicacy and in various culinary applications. This growth is further supported by price stabilization and enhanced product availability.

Pecorino Sini Fulvi

Pecorino Sini Fulvi is renowned as one of the best producers of Pecorino Romano, proudly maintaining the traditional methods of production in Lazio, Italy. As the only producer of Pecorino Romano in Lazio, Fulvi utilizes 70% of the region's sheep milk, ensuring a higher butterfat content and more moisture in their cheese compared to Sardinian counterparts. The cheese is aged for 10 months to 1 year and bears the "Genuino" label, signifying its Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) status. Fulvi's production is part of a larger trend, with Pecorino Romano PDO production increasing by 7.1% in the 2023-2024 season, and the U.S. market seeing a 25.6% surge in sales during the same period. This brand is indispensable for classic Italian dishes like Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Learn more about their exquisite cheese with the Pecorino Romano Fulvi DOP.

Mitica

Mitica is renowned as one of the best producers of Pecorino Romano, a traditional Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. With a rich history dating back to ancient times, Pecorino Romano is protected by the European Union's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring its quality and authenticity. Mitica adheres strictly to these standards, using 100% sheep's milk and traditional production methods. The cheese is aged for a minimum of 5 months, which enhances its distinctive sharp and salty flavor. Mitica's commitment to quality has earned it a significant market share, with many chefs and food enthusiasts preferring it for its rich, nutty taste.

Auricchio

Auricchio is a renowned producer of Pecorino Romano, a cheese that has seen significant growth in production and sales, with a 7.1% year-on-year increase in the 2023-2024 season. The company benefits from the overall rise in Pecorino Romano production, which reached 392,000 quintals in the same period, driven by increased demand from the U.S. market, which saw a 25.6% surge in sales. Auricchio's tradition and quality contribute to the cheese's popularity, both domestically and internationally, with 40% of Pecorino Romano consumed in Italy and 35% in the U.S. The market value of Pecorino Romano has surpassed EUR600 million, highlighting the brand's success. Auricchio's exports, including Pecorino Romano, reach over 60 countries, reflecting its global presence. For more insights into Auricchio's success story, visit their official success story page.

Zerto

Pecorino Romano PDO, a renowned Italian cheese, has seen a significant increase in production, reaching 36,660 tons in 2023, marking a 12% rise from the previous year. The 2023-2024 season saw a 7.1% year-on-year increase, with 297 million liters of sheep's milk collected, and the market value surpassing EUR600 million. The Italian market absorbs 40% of the product, while the U.S. takes 35%, with U.S. sales surging by 25.6% from January to July 2024. This growth is attributed to price stabilization and enhanced product availability. Pecorino Romano PDO is increasingly popular both as a staple in classic dishes and as a stand-alone delicacy. For more detailed statistics, visit Statista's page on Pecorino Romano PDO production volume.

Pecorino Toscano DOP

Pecorino Toscano DOP, while distinct from Pecorino Romano, is a renowned brand celebrated for its high-quality Pecorino Toscano cheese, bearing the prestigious Protected Designation of Origin mark since 1996. This exquisite cheese is crafted from whole sheep's milk and comes in two varieties: Fresco, which is aged for at least 20 days, and Stagionato, aged for no less than 4 months. The production is concentrated primarily in the Tuscany region, with select adjacent areas in Lazio and Umbria contributing to its origin. In 2023, Pecorino Toscano PDO saw a production volume of 2,844,311 kg, with exports valuing 8,800 thousand euros. The distinctive flavor of Pecorino Toscano DOP is deeply rooted in the unique richness of herbs and essences found in the grazing soils, imparting a truly unique taste.

Gran Cacio Etrusco

Gran Cacio Etrusco, a brand under Fulvi, is renowned for producing high-quality Pecorino Romano cheese, particularly notable for its unique production methods. This cheese is salted with Sicilian salt and rubbed with olive oil for several months, resulting in a softer texture and a sweeter, more nuanced flavor. Unlike the harder Sardinian Pecorino, Fulvi's Pecorino Romano is aged for 10 months to a year and made from full-fat sheep's milk. The brand's commitment to traditional methods has contributed to the overall growth in Pecorino Romano production, with a 7.1% increase in production volume in the 2023-2024 season. This growth is also driven by increased demand, particularly from the U.S. market, which saw a 25.6% surge in sales from January to July 2024.

Caseificio Sociale Manciano

Caseificio Sociale Manciano is a renowned producer of high-quality Pecorino cheeses, particularly the PDO Tuscan Pecorino, for which they account for 37% of the total production. Established in 1961, the cooperative gathers over 250 sheep-milk and cow-milk producers from the Grosseto and Viterbo provinces. They employ traditional production methods combined with modern equipment to ensure excellence in their products. The company is certified under various standards including PDO, BRC, IFS, Halal, Organic, and UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025, ensuring stringent quality controls. Their cheeses, such as the Pecorino Toscano DOP, are aged for a minimum of 120 days and are recognized by the branded DOP mark.