Our strong connections with specialists like Obsalim Method creator and trainer Bruno Giboudeau and cheese technician Ivan Larcher enable us to delve into all aspects of animal husbandry and cheesemaking.
Ann-Marie
In 1999 Carla and Ann-Marie purchased Sutton Grange Organic Farm, 204 acres of free draining granitic, sandy loam. A dairy, cheese factory and sheds were built. The last 20,000 gallon water tank was installed in 2011. In 2016 our old machinery shed was outfitted as a kidding shed.
The farm is situated east of Castlemaine, on 204 acres of rolling granite plains, 90 minutes north of Melbourne, 20 minutes east of Castlemaine and 30 minutes south of Bendigo. The farm is 320 metres above sea level and has an annual ‘average’ rainfall of 400-600mm. In summer temperatures are often in the 32– 42 degrees Celsius range and in winter the nights can be as low as -5° Celsius with the days 12 – 20° Celsius. Autumn and spring bring milder weather.
Carla and Ann-Marie have established an organically certified (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia, NASAA) goatherd (milking 100 goats) and farm cheese production (approx 10 tonnes per year). The cheese is marketed under the name ‘Holy Goat’. The goats have free-range access to a rich variety of predominantly native grasses, herbs and shrubs. These deep-rooted, fibrous pastures suit the natural feeding habits of goats and produce sweet, high quality milk and cheeses with unique complexity and depth. The farm also purchases cows’ milk from a local certified organic farm which allows us to make a cow milk and goat milk blend cheese called Nectar.
Holy Goat cheeses are produced to capture the delicacy of goats’ milk. The cheese production is based on a slow lactic acid fermentation of the milk to produce delicate soft curds. Cheese is made every day.
Our cheeses are sold throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria through delicatessens and cheese shops. Farmer’s markets in Melbourne and closer to home are an important way for us to sell our cheeses and meet our customers. We also have distribution in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.
We have 120 Saanen and British Alpine Goats in the herd. The goats are beautiful animals to work with – they are loving, playful, naughty and intelligent. We wouldn’t be cheese makers if we couldn’t care for the land and the goats that produce the milk. It’s the balance of these activities that makes our life fulfilling.