6 North Carolina Cheese Farms Offering Tasting Tours On The Pasture

Nothing beats the experience of sampling artisanal cheese right where it’s made – with happy animals grazing nearby and the fresh countryside air filling your lungs.

I discovered this joy last summer during my road trip through North Carolina, a state surprisingly rich in farmstead cheese traditions.

From creamy goat cheese that melts in your mouth to sharp aged cheddars that pack a flavor punch, these working farms invite visitors to connect with their food’s origins in the most delicious way possible.

1. Brown Creek Creamery: Where Jersey Cows Roam Free

The first time I stepped onto Brown Creek’s lush pastures in Wadesboro, I swear those Jersey cows smiled at me! Family-owned since 1952, this dairy farm transitioned to artisanal cheesemaking after three generations of selling milk wholesale.

Their signature cheese – a buttery Gouda with subtle caramel notes – comes from cows that graze on pesticide-free pastures year-round. The tour begins at their charming red barn where you’ll meet the bovine beauties by name before watching the fascinating transformation from milk to cheese.

Kids go crazy for the hands-on milking demonstration (I certainly did, despite being well into my thirties). Don’t leave without trying their limited-edition seasonal flavors like spring garlic or summer blackberry Gouda!

2. Boxcarr Handmade Cheese: Italian Traditions Meet Southern Soil

“Y’all want some livin’ history with your cheese?” asked Austin, our guide at Boxcarr in Cedar Grove. His family’s Italian cheese-making secrets traveled from the old country to these rolling North Carolina hills, creating something truly magical.

Walking through their state-of-the-art facility feels like stepping into a science lab – but with way better snacks! Their award-winning Campo cheese (a bloomy-rind stunner) had me considering whether I could reasonably eat cheese for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What makes this place special? The brothers who run it raise both cows and goats, allowing them to create fascinating mixed-milk cheeses you won’t find elsewhere. I still dream about their Roseda – a square beauty with a line of vegetable ash running through its center.

3. Round Mountain Creamery: Goat Cheese Paradise In The Blue Ridge

Nestled against the stunning backdrop of Black Mountain sits my happy place – a goat paradise where over 300 Alpine dairy goats frolic on steep mountainsides. The moment I arrived, a baby goat named Pepper decided my shoelaces were delicious, and honestly, I couldn’t even be mad.

Owner Linda’s passion for sustainable farming shines through every aspect of this female-owned operation. Her chevre (fresh goat cheese) practically floats off the spoon with a texture so creamy it defies gravity. The farm’s innovative aging cave – built right into the mountainside – maintains perfect conditions for their aged varieties.

Funny fact: The farm’s mascot is a rescue goat named Elvis who has one curved horn resembling a pompadour! The tasting finale includes their honey-lavender chevre drizzled with local sourwood honey that’ll make you weak in the knees.

4. Blue Goat Dairy: Small-Batch Treasures Worth The Journey

Hidden down a winding country road in Vale lies the tiniest operation on my cheese tour – and possibly the most memorable. Blue Goat Dairy might look unassuming with its modest farmhouse and small herd, but don’t let that fool you!

Owner Tammy left corporate America to pursue her cheese dreams, and thank goodness she did. Her signature blue cheese (aptly named ‘Corporate Dropout’) won national awards despite competing against dairy giants. During my visit, we sampled cheeses while sitting on hay bales as friendly Nigerian Dwarf goats (the cutest little things you’ve ever seen) nuzzled our elbows.

The intimate tour shows every step of their small-batch process, including hand-ladling curds – a labor of love that creates exceptionally creamy texture. Their chocolate goat cheese truffles? Absolutely life-changing!

5. Looking Glass Creamery: Mountain Views With Your Cheese Board

“Holy cow!” I exclaimed – both at the jaw-dropping mountain vista and at my first taste of Looking Glass Creamery’s clothbound cheddar. Perched in Columbus with panoramic views of western North Carolina’s mountains, this farm delivers scenery and flavor in equal measure.

Jennifer and Andy, the passionate couple behind this operation, transformed an old apple orchard into cheese heaven. Their aging room (converted from a vintage apple storage cellar) creates perfect conditions for developing complex flavors in their semi-hard and hard cheeses.

The farm’s name comes from nearby Looking Glass Falls, and water quality is central to their cheese philosophy. My favorite part? The twilight tasting tour where you’ll sample five cheeses paired with local cider while watching the sunset paint the mountains gold. Pure magic!

6. Elodie Farms: Goat Yoga Meets Gourmet Cheese

My sides still hurt from laughing during goat yoga at Elodie Farms in Rougemont! Where else can you perfect your downward dog while adorable goats use your back as a playground? This innovative farm combines wellness with wonderful cheese – a combo I never knew I needed.

Dave, a former software engineer with an infectious laugh, named the farm after his grandmother who taught him to appreciate handcrafted food. His experimental spirit shows in creations like his espresso-rubbed chevre and seasonal herb-infused varieties using ingredients grown right on the property.

The farm-to-table dinners held monthly under twinkling lights in the pasture are bucket-list experiences. Picture this: five courses of goat cheese delicacies paired with North Carolina wines while friendly goats watch from nearby. I’ve already booked my return visit!