For many, The Oxford County Cheese Trail is a chance to get out with their family, visit farm attractions, museums, breweries and put a little culture in their day while enjoying delicious cheese (we can't blame them)! For others however, let's refer to them as the cheese purists, the trail is all about the cheese makers and more specifically, the cheese. Below, you'll find an itinerary focused purely on trying all of Oxford's deliciously local cheeses in the least amount of time. This itinerary starts in the North end of the county but please note it could be done in the opposite direction as well.
Stop #1: Mountainoak Cheese
At Mountainoak, it's all about the gouda. Made with milk from the family's own dairy herd, Mountainoak truly monitors the cheese making process from start to finish. Immigrating from Holland in 1996 where they had owned a dairy herd and made cheese, Hannie and Adam van Bergeijk now create over 17 different flavours of gouda at their cheese factory in New Hamburg. Call ahead to book a tour to see how gouda is made and step into the beautiful aging room filled with wheels of cheese (we're fairly confident it's what heaven looks like).
We love: Farmstead Premium Dutch GOLD (winner of the 2015 Canadian Grand Prix)
Drive Time to Next Stop: 12 mins
Stop #2: Bright Cheese and Butter
For simply better cheddar, nutty and delicious asiago and fresh curds, Bright Cheese and Butter is unbeatable. In the same factory since 1874, Bright Cheese and Butter was started as a cooperative of farmers who had surplus milk and used it to make cheese. Today, the tradition continues and Bright has certainly perfected the art of cheese making. Visit them to stock up on that cheesy goodness.
We love: Bright's asiago
Drive Time to Next Stop: 25 mins
Stop #3: Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese
After studying cheese making in the Swiss Alps, cheese maker Shep Ysselstein started his cheese factory on beautiful Gunn's Hill Road in Woodstock. Nestled on acres of farm land, Gunn's Hill produces high quality cheese in the Swiss style. With three aging rooms filled with different sized and kinds of cheese wheels, a tour is an absolute must (please call ahead). On Fridays, people line up to get their curds fresh and squeaky (we highly recommend it).
We love: Handeck, a Swiss-Appenzeller style cheese
Drive Time to Next Stop: 22 mins
Stop #4: Golspie Dairy
Oxford’s newest cheesemaker is all about variety! Newly opened by cheesemaker Marja DeBoer-Marshall and her husband Laurence, Golspie Dairy specializes in British-style cheeses and fresh dairy products, all made with high-quality milk from their family’s dairy cows on the fifth-generation farm where they live. Also on-site, Golspie Dairy serves up fresh dairy in their Milk Dispenser Machine, ready for visitors to fill up their own bottles with white or chocolate milk and a cheese/bottle vending machine so that you can access their cheese outside of regular hours.
We love: Crowdie, Double Golspie
Drive Time to Next Stop: 21 mins
Stop #5: Red Dragon Dairy
Red Dragon Dairy, produces delicious sheep milk cheese and dairy products. Operated by Ellis, Sion and Hazel Morris, they specialize in fine cheeses and yogurts including pecorino, manchego, gruyere, feta and more. Shop products at Foodland or visit their farm store to stock up on fresh curds, soft ice cream, delicious cheese, baked goods and a great selection of both local groceries and a few select ones from the U.K. Worth the drive to experience the Taste of Wales.
We love: The smoked feta (you won't find this from any other cheese maker in Canada!)
We love: The smoked feta (you won't find this from any other cheese maker in Canada!)
Drive Time to Next Stop: 10 mins
Stop #6: New Galma Dairy
Red Dragon Dairy, produces delicious sheep milk cheese and dairy products. Operated by Ellis, Sion and Hazel Morris, they specialize in fine cheeses and yogurts including pecorino, manchego, gruyere, feta and more. Visit their farm store to stock up on fresh curds, soft ice cream, delicious cheese, baked goods and a great selection of both local groceries and a few select ones from the U.K. Worth the drive to experience the Taste of Wales.Red Dragon Dairy, produces delicious sheep milk cheese and dairy products. Operated by Ellis, Sion and Hazel Morris, they specialize in fine cheeses and yogurts including pecorino, manchego, gruyere, feta and more. Visit their farm store to stock up on fresh curds, soft ice cream, delicious cheese, baked goods and a great selection of both local groceries and a few select ones from the U.K. Worth the drive to experience the Taste of Wales.When the Zeldenrijk family journeyed from the Netherlands to Canada, they brought with them a rich, century-old tradition of cheesemaking. As their family and farm flourished, so did their passion and dream of crafting authentic Dutch-style cheeses. Today, their dream is a reality—using fresh milk from their own herd, they create delicious, artisanal cheeses for all to enjoy including Mild, Chili Pepper, Onion Garlic, Pesto, and more.
We love: Italian, Fenugreek dutch style cheese
Does your love of dairy extend to ice cream? Check out Oxford ice cream producers Udderly Ridiculous and Shaw's Ice Cream served at Dad's Ice Cream.
See the listings below, click the heart, and view 'My Trip' for a map of the locations.
