Cheesemonger
On Cranborne Chase, a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, you will find Ashmore, the highest village in Dorset. Manor Farm, in the village, is where we make our cheese. Here the climate conditions, which can be completely different to the surrounding area, together with the pastures of this area of North Dorset gives rise to perfect cheesemaking conditions.
Cheesemaking started experimentally in 2002 but it was not until 2004 that the operation was turned into a long term commercial venture.We now make four cheeses (with another in the development stage) which are named after local features and landmarks. Our newest cheese, Gold Hill, takes its name from the landmark in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Instantly recognisable as the location for the Hovis advert, filmed there in 1973.
Win Green is a soft mould ripened cheese, similar in appearance to a camembert but without that smell of cabbages associated with the French versions. Named after the highest point on the Chase it has won numerous awards including a ‘Taste of the West’ Gold medal in 2007. Ready to eat from eight weeks but if left to mature becomes a very creamy tasting cheese.
Eldren is an individual curd cheese which can be eaten as early as four days old. By its nature it has a relatively short shelf life of three weeks but the tastes change within that time from a fresh lemony cheese with a baked cheesecake texture to a truly creamy cheese.
Alderwood is our semi-hard rind washed cheese. Available from ten weeks it has by then developed a mottled orange coat. However if left to mature it will increase in flavour and the rind will turn a burnt orange/brown colour.
Gold Hill is an individual soft mould ripened cheese. Although made to a similar recipe to the Win Green its unique shape gives rise to the cheese developing characteristics and tastes of its own.
