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Hohepa Hawke's Bay is very proud of its cheesery. Having won several awards for the cheeses produced, the cheesery has a strong reputation in Hawke's Bay and beyond. Credit must go to the master cheese maker, Inacio, whose cheerful smile and commitment brought from Brazil, is an everyday part of the production!
From the previous 'room tucked to the back of the milking shed', the new cheesery still incorporates many time-honoured processes. For instance Inacio's mozzarella cheese is made almost completely by hand. In Inacio's words 'although the facilities may have changed the cheese remains the same'.
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The modern cheesery (up-graded and opened November 2006) is among the smallest factories in New Zealand and, as an organic cheese producer, unique. The cheesery carries Demeter Certification, being entirely produced from organic milk. Most of the milk is from the Hohepa Farm (Bio-dynamic farming), although a small amount of organic milk is sourced from other organic farms - but this is clearly kept separate and used only to produce specific brand cheeses. Clear labelling distinguishes these cheeses.
The cheeses supply the Homes in the Hohepa Community and public sales through the on-site shop. Other outlets are steadily growing throughout Hawke's Bay, including the Hastings Farmers Market (Sundays) and some through the Saturday Black Barn market.
Cheese Awards
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Public Sales
Cheese can be purchased (and tasted!) at the on-site shop. Shop staff can also be found at the Farmers Market, Hastings every Sunday.
Farmgate Wines
We are proud to be associated with the newly released (2008) “Farmgate Label”, of Ngatarawa Wines. Our cheese was selected, along with 7 other small specialty food productions, for a ‘good food, good wine’ association. Wines from this label can be ordered via the Farmgate Wines website. The 8 varieties make an interesting collection, with feature photos and description of the boutique producer on the bottle.
