Market on Sixth offers a taste of the finer things

By Matthieu Vollmer

Business Writer

MARSHFIELD — Market on Sixth, opened in 2005 and owned by Chuck McCauley, offers a variety of wines, cheeses, oils, cookware, and decorative items from around the globe.

McCauley, a cardiologist at Marshfield Clinic and member of the American Cheese Society, studied wine at the Culinary Institute of America in California and toured Europe to amass knowledge of  old and new world wines and artisan and farmstead cheeses.

“Every little town needs to have a quality shopping experience. This is a quality shopping experience on this corner of Marshfield,” said McCauley.

Although wine and cheese are the primary products offered in the shop, Vermouth, Calvados, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, jams, salsas, and scotch are also available.

Up to 70 handcrafted cheeses are available for purchase at Market on Sixth in Marshfield.

McCauley described the process of preparing his store’s cheese saying, “The cheese is cut off of the wheel and is not Cryovac cheese. It’s cut fresh. It’s virgin cut off of a 40-pound wheel of cheese. You can just see the whey weep off of the wheel. We wrap it and keep it in the case so we know it is fresh all the time.”

Cheeses local to Wisconsin are available as are cheeses from around the world, including some from Norway, Italy, and France. Varieties include sheep, goat, and cow’s cheese.

“Cheese is 50% of our business. People who don’t drink wine at all come in to buy cheese,” said McCauley.

Other items available include Wusthof knives, glassware, holiday napkins, and fondue accessories.

“We want customers to have the best experience when they take (wine) home, and we always let them sample the cheeses,” said McCauley.

Wine from all of the different regions of the world is offered by the bottle or case. Prices range from $16 to $200 per bottle. According to McCauley, Market on Sixth tries to offer high quality wine that appeals to both beginner and mature tastes. Purchases of six bottles or more qualify for a 10 percent discount.

McCauley personally tastes every type of wine before stocking it on shelves. “I think you’ll find that our wine is a cut above what you’ll find at other places,” he said.

When asked what he would recommend to someone who has not visited the shop before, McCauley said, “Stop in just to see the building. All the woodwork was done by local Amish. Just come in to take a look and to realize how many wines and cheeses are available.”

According to the business’ website, wine tastings are held the third Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m.  Attendees can sample up to three wines during the tasting.

On the last Friday of each month, Market on Sixth puts on an event called “Afternoon Delight” from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Guests select and purchase a bottle of wine, and the staff brings it to the table with glasses. Reservations are preferred for this event.

Private events are also available by request. Prices vary based on wine and cheese selections.

Market on Sixth, located at 113 W. Sixth St. in Marshfield, is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 715-387-2000 or visit marketonsixth.com.