Two-day delivery nationwide
An American company with European heritage bringing old world recipes to the new world way of life.
Our history
Josef’s Artisan Meats has a rich history, full of tradition, culture, and flavor. It all started back in the 1960s when Eugene and Brigitte Hartmann opened a shop under the name Hartmann’s Old World Sausage. Thanks to their traditional, quality, gourmet sausages, it didn’t take long for business to take off. Within a few short years, Hartmann’s had developed a reputation for authentic European products and was being sold in area supermarkets. Its success continued, and over the next four decades, Hartmann’s grew to become a beloved and trusted brand among Rochesterians.
By 2004, times had changed. Eugene had passed away years before, and Brigitte was ready to hang up her apron. Josef Brunner, a Master Sausage Maker originally from Austria, was looking to purchase a shop of his own. Living in Colorado at the time, Josef and his wife Elizabeth flew to Rochester to meet Brigitte. The Brunners fell in love with both the company and the Finger Lakes region of New York, and a deal was struck.
Over the next few years, Josef and Elizabeth invested in state-of-the-art equipment and machinery and perfected the production process to meet growing demand.
That investment helped the company grow while keeping its dedication to traditional, handcrafted sausages, charcuterie, and specialty meats at the center of the work.
Handcrafted just for you.
It’s time to face the facts—not all sausages are created equal. Good thing you landed here, because our sausages are made with honest ingredients, like crisp vegetables, fresh fruits, and hand-trimmed meat. We don’t use fillers or cheap additives, either. Don’t just take our word for it; go ahead and check the label—we dare you!
Josef’s not your typical sausage guy. He’s a legit Master Sausage Maker who spent years training in Europe to earn that top rank. Deep down, Josef knows that sausage making is an art form, and creating a masterpiece takes time. That’s why all of our products are handcrafted in small batches by our team of highly skilled craftsmen overseen by Josef to his exacting standards.
If it says “Josef’s,” you can be sure it’s made fresh to order. Seriously, unlike the other guys, we don’t even own a warehouse for mass storage. Our sausages are made, shipped, and usually eaten immediately. They’re that good. Go ahead, try one and taste the difference for yourself.
Our team
Josef has taken special care when selecting his team. Under his guidance, he’s taught the team not merely to make sausages, but the art, skill, and craftsmanship of sausage making with traditional values in mind.
Our team of artisans brings different backgrounds, cultures, and personalities together for a common purpose and passion: creating products that are superior in quality and taste. We take pride in our work and strive to craft sausages and charcuterie you’ll be proud to serve to your family.
