Today is National Cheese Day, so in honour of this prestigious, but often overlooked National day of celebration, we’ve decided to showcase some of South Australia’s ‘Dairy Destinations.’
South Australia has 228 dairy farms across the state and accounts for 5 per cent of the nation’s dairy production, and from these dairy farms comes the fresh produce needed to create some of our FAVOURITE cheeses!
To further encourage support of of this state’s Dairy Destinations, a curated series of road trip itineraries has been put together, which encourage Aussies to actively support some of the best dairy-producing regions, including South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.
Amongst some iconic dairy destinations are chocolate brands Fruchocs and Melbas, and some notable ice creameries, but today we’re all about the CHEESE!
For those hardcore cheese fans, we’ve also included some accommodation recommendations which are linked to dairy farmers – Moppa Bush Retreat, owned by the Nietshckes, who supply milk to the Barossa Cheese Factory and The Dairyman at Lyndoch.
ADELAIDE CBD
Smelly Cheese Co.
Visit Smelly Cheese Co. in the Adelaide Central Markets to experience speciality cheese from around the world and meet the team of cheese enthusiasts who are passionate about bringing quality cheese to South Australia.
Explore the complex flavours and incredible variety of cheese produced by skilled artisan makers worldwide by taking part in the Cheese After Dark Master Class. During the 2-hour long workshop held in the Smelly Cheese Co.’s stunning maturing room, you will learn about the various conditions in which cheeses are made and matured. Your taste buds will be challenged with different styles of cheese while learning about the basic rules of sensory analysis. You’ll leave with the knowledge required to truly understand and appreciate fine cheese.
For more information, please visit The Smelly Cheese Co.
ADELAIDE HILLS
Be inspired by the Adelaide Hills dairy region, located in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide. Discover the region by tasting your way through the best ice cream, yoghurt, chocolate, and artisan cheeses Adelaide Hills has to offer.
La Casa Del Formaggio
Las Casa Del Formaggio is a must-visit family-owned continental deli, which has been setting the benchmark for quality cheese making for over 30 years. Their range includes Bocconcini, Fresh Mozzarella, Ricotta, Pecorino Style, Haloumi and Burrata, as well as cream products, which are made by hand using locally sourcing quality Jersey and Friesian milk. Pop into Las Casa Del Formaggio to be inspired by the world-class dairy products that South Australia has to offer.
For more information, please visit Las Casa Del Formaggio.
Udder Delights
From Blue Cheese to Brie, Chevre to Camembert, Udder Delights is passionate about making, sharing and eating cheese. Udder Delights artisan cheese products are made by hand at their cheese factory in Lobethal, Adelaide Hills, using local South Australian dairy from the Hills to Fleurieu Peninsula.
Visit Udder Delight’s beautiful cheese cellar door to enjoy a variety of cheeses and experiences, from tastings to high teas, fondue for two or even an easy, cheesy home cheese making class.
For more information, please visit Udder Delights.
Woodside Cheese Wrights
Kris Lloyd is a self-taught cheese maker who has been the craftsman behind Woodside Cheese Wrights for over 20 years. Woodside Cheese Wrights have produced a range of high quality and award-winning cheeses at their Adelaide Hills facility since 1994. Their sophisticated range of cow and goat milk cheeses are made by directly sourcing milk from small local dairies, providing them with excellent control of milk quality.
Woodside Cheese Wrights are true to the word artisan, crafting all their cheeses by hand. Some of their cheeses are seasonal and are only made when the milk is perfect for each cheese style.
Visitors are welcome to visit the Cellar Door to try Woodside Cheese Wrights diverse range of cheeses, where they will also find a range of locally made arts and crafts and locally grown and made produce and food.
For more information, please visit Woodside Cheese Wrights by Kris Lloyd.
BAROSSA
Renowned as a wine-producing region, the Barossa Valley is also home to an incredible array of world-class dairy producers and experiences. Wander through the Barossa Valley Market, or pop into an ice creamery or cheese cellar door to taste the best of the Barossa dairy region.
Barossa Valley Cheese Company
Visit the Barossa Valley Cheese Cellar to enjoy luxurious artisan cheese, hand-made on site. The Cheese Cellar offers the full range of Barossa Valley Cheese Company cheese products, as well as local gourmet condiments and a wide variety of cheese accompaniments. Tasting plates and experiences are available, as are delicious cheese platters and sit-down experience plates that match cheese to seasonal produce, wine, beer, and even tea! Whilst you’re tucking into artisan cheese, you can also watch a live stream which takes you behind the scenes of the cheese making process onsite in the adjoining production facilitates.
For more information, please visit Barossa Valley Cheese Company.
Maggie Beer’s Farmshop
The Pheasant Farm is the property best known for the location of Maggie’s famous farm shop, but beyond that it is a working farm, with olive groves, quince orchard and vineyards.
In the farm shop, the renowned platters are served with a glass of Pheasant Farm Wine, locally baked sourdough bread, dried fig and fennel perfectly accompanying their cheese platter, room temperature brie with mustard pears, roasted almonds and dried fruit from the orchard.
For more information, please visit Maggie Beer’s Farmshop.
FLEURIEU PENINSULA
Just 45 minutes from Adelaide, Fleurieu Peninsula is a hub of dairy destinations and adventures. Often considered Adelaide’s playground, the Peninsula offers a stunning landscape of rolling farmland, fringed by sandy beaches, and sprinkled with an impressive list of dairy destinations to experience including markets, ice creameries, chocolateries, cheese tasting and more.
Little Cheese Room
The Little Cheese Room sells a range of locally made cheeses with milk from local dairy farms including Second Valley Cheese company, Alexandrina Cheese Company and many more. Their delicious products on offer include hard cheeses; Cheddar, Romano, Pepato, Gouda and Edam, soft cheeses such as Feta, and a range of other dairy products including Pure Jersey Cream, Crème Fraiche and full cream and skim Jersey Milk. Visit the Little Cheese Room to stock up on the makings of a perfect picnic.
For more information, please visit Second Valley Cheese on Facebook.
Blessed Cheese Café
Blessed Cheese Café is a bright, friendly, fully-licensed café offering a modern all-day breakfast and lunch menu using the best of local and seasonal produce, and specialising in locally-produced and international artisan cheeses.
Working with some of the best local wineries, Blessed Cheese Café is the creator of the famous McLaren Vale Cheese and Wine Trial, which showcases the natural gifts of the region.
Visitors can also enjoy a Cheese and Wine Tasting Flight, which includes 4 delicious hand-made local cheeses, perfectly matched with 4 of McLaren Vales best drops of wine.
For more information, please visit Blessed Cheese.
Alexandrina Cheese Company
Alexandrina Cheese specialise in making hard-style Jersey farmhouse cheese and luxury jersey dairy products in Mount Jagged on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The family owned business handcraft their produce in a modern cheese room from single origin Jersey Milk. Their herd of sixty Jersey cows graze on the dairy farm, producing 250,000 litres of grass fed milk each year, which is all used to make Alexandrina Cheese. The family have set up a new online shop, which allows for delivery or pick up from Sneyd Road, 8km south of Mt Compass. There are also local stockists throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula. Visit their store online and pick up some of their delicious cheeses on your way through the Fleurieu Peninsula to whip up the perfect cheese board.
For more information, please visit Alexandrina Cheese Company.
WHERE TO STAY
Moppa Bush Retreat, Barossa
Escape to Moppa Bush Retreat and share in the serenity, breaking away from your busy life to immerse yourself in nature.
Walk along the guided tracks through 30 hectares of beautiful natural scrub lands in the northern end of the Barossa Valley, home to rare and endangered plant species, and be serenaded by the local woodland birds.
In the evening sit around the firepit and gaze up at the stars or unwind inside by the fireplace with a book and some Barossa Cheese or a glass of Barossa Shiraz.
In the summer, take a swim in the pool and relax.
For more information or to book your stay please visit Airbnb.
The Dairyman, Barossa
Exclusive self-contained Dairy Farm Accommodation set in the foothills of the Barossa Ranges. A fusion of heritage, functional architecture & edgy style, located between Lyndoch & Williamstown in the beautiful Barossa Valley.
Take in the stunning views from every direction – vineyards, rolling hills and farm life.
Enjoy an abundance of traditional breakfast provisions straight from the farm.
For more information or to book your stay please visit Airbnb.
Fleurieu Retreat Accommodation, Fleurieu Peninsula
On arrival a charcuterie board and locally sourced breakfast produce await…
Built in 1911, fully renovated Fleurieu Retreat offers a real chance to unwind in fresh country air, surrounded by a serene environment. Immediately beyond is a tree studded valley with majestic river gums through which the farm operates into the hills.
The retreat accommodation features three bedrooms and sleeps up to six guests.
For more information or to book your stay please visit Airbnb.
Welcome Springs BnB, Fleurieu Peninsula
Welcome Springs offers exclusive use of a large fully self-contained guesthouse. Relax and unwind in the large six-person hydrotherapy hot tub, pamper yourself in the two-person hydrotherapy spa-bath situated undercover on the alfresco decking area, or simply recline and relax on the sun deck whilst enjoying the private tranquil surrounds. Awaken to the spectacular valley views of Mount Jagged and watch the colourful birdlife peacefully meander through the gardens.
Visitors will have exclusive use of the guesthouse, the only neighbours being the cattle, kangaroos and wildlife who live in the surrounding paddocks.
For more information or to book your stay please visit Airbnb.
Dairy Destinations is the latest installment of the dairy industry’s campaign Dairy Matters: Buy, Support,
Enjoy Aussie Dairy, which encourages Australians to buy local Aussie made dairy, and support local
communities and livelihoods.
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